Winning sports teams and successful IT teams share many similarities. Both require the right talent, clear roles, strong leadership, and an intentional development process. The foundation of any successful team is developing the right individuals with personalized plans that address their strengths, weaknesses, and areas of growth.
In baseball, young players are developed in a farm system before being brought up to the main team. Each player has a specific skill set such as relief pitching or defensive prowess. The most talented players make up the starting lineup, with a few All-Stars among them. A coaching staff and manager provide guidance to each player. To complement the team, additional players may be brought in as free agents. In IT teams, new talent is recruited through connections with colleges and universities or by scouting programs. New members receive guidance from coaches, managers, and experienced team members. IT teams are composed of individuals possessing specific domain skills and may utilize consultants as ‘free agents’ to bolster their capabilities.
Successful CIOs know that developing young recruits is crucial for the success of their IT team. They establish connections with colleges and universities to source new talent and have a plan in place to develop them. The best among them are considered all-stars at the helm of the team alongside a leadership team that drives the vision forward. By following these strategies, both sports teams and IT teams can achieve success and adaptability in evolving competition while maintaining their focus on winning together as a team.
