Since 1931, the Yankees have played in the World Series 39 times and have won the championship 26 times. How has this team become such an unbeatable colossus? A large part of its success is due to recruitment practices like these:
- Establishing high standards. The Yankees have developed a list of organizational competencies—the measurable skills, values and behaviors that contribute to enhanced performance. They also make sure that their standard for player competency exceeds the standards of their competitors.
- Creating a balanced team of superstars, stars and solid performers. There are not enough superstars in the baseball player pool for the Yankees to “buy” and field a team of only superstars. Yankee managers develop teams around a blend of players at varying performance levels—although they make sure everyone on the team is rated at least as a “solid player.”
- Poaching as many superstars as possible. Optimally you should cultivate your own superstars, but strategically hiring your competitor’s superstars can weaken their competitive strength, demoralize other competitors and greatly improve your team.
- Scouting for talent in unconventional places. Today, the Yankees are a blend of people from all over the globe. There are no limitations on where the team will look for talent. This diversity translates into on-field success.
— Adapted from “Learning From the New York Yankees’ Dynasty,” Lance Berger and Dorothy Berger, Wharton Leadership Digest, http://leadership.wharton.upenn.edu/digest/index.shtml.
[Photo credit: www.flickr.com/photos/danic.]
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