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How losing star players can enhance a team’s performance and their employer brand
The NBA Game-Changer: A Deep Dive into Team Dynamics
In a groundbreaking study conducted by the University of Florida in 2015, over 28,000 NBA games were meticulously analysed. They were exploring the impact of the absence of star players on team dynamics. The focus was on games where the star player was either resting, injured, or away from the team.
For the uninitiated, basketball teams are made up of five players. With one true star player. The role of the other four players on the court is to maximise the star player’s talent. The prevailing theory asserts that the star player largely determines a team’s success in the playoffs and championship contention. However, this study explored how temporarily losing the star player could enhance team performance.
The Surprising Impact of Star Players Coming Back
On a star player returning from injury, the team he came back to played significantly better than before they left. Across all data points, including wins. The key insight derived from this was that the star player’s temporary absence forced the coaches and remaining team members to break away from established routines, fostering a search for new strategies and approaches to secure victories. Upon the star player’s return, the team had evolved, integrating new routines for greater cohesion and effectiveness.
Business Lessons: Applying NBA Insights to Corporate Strategy
The relevance of this study extends beyond the basketball court and holds valuable lessons for businesses. While losing a high-performing team member might initially be perceived as daunting, the research suggests that the absence of star performers can provide the remaining team members with the freedom to explore their full potential. The disruption caused by the departure of a key individual prompts the team to innovate, adapt, and discover new ways of working, ultimately leading to improvements.
The shock and surprise of the new, the change of routine and a shift to new ways of working represent the margins where improvements are gained.
Brave decisions pay dividends
So it pays to be counterintuitive and brave. Instead of fearing the departure of star performers, consider offering secondments, opportunities for upskilling, or extended sabbaticals. By allowing these top performers to temporarily leave, the team can experience growth and freedom, ultimately becoming a better version of itself. Importantly, the return of the star performer will elevate the entire team to even greater heights, as they bring back valuable experiences and skills. The team around them will be better for it. So will the organisation as a whole. And most importantly, as the study shows, bringing that top performer back will take the whole to even greater peaks.
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