Yes, I know the Shoiab Akhtars of the world! Perhaps, at some point all of us have know them, worked with them, and tolerated their eccentricities. They are perhaps the most consummate professionals and perceived as an indispensable asset for an organization. At the same time they are also known to be a true curmudgeon and are vituperative towards the subordinates and colleagues alike. However, the management will overlook all the negative attributes just because they are perceived as a star performer who is supposed to take the organization forward towards the achievement of its goals. My question to the reader is whether an organization is justified in pampering the Shoaib Akhtars of the world or should it repudiate such characters?
In my opinion (based on my limited experience), such so called ‘Star Performers’ are known to have a deleterious effect on an organization. Let me elaborate my opinion by defining a paradigmatic Shoiab Akhtar that we encounter in our professional life. In a sales organization, a Shoaib Akhtar would consistently achieve/surpass his targets. He would crack all the big ticket accounts, make the maximum incentive, and demand the highest increment. He will negotiate the best discount for his customers, do away with maintaining the sales process, and always be late for work. Also, he will keep the HR on its toes as a result of his never ending demands of recognition; monetary and otherwise. On a lighter note, in all probability, his system password will be ‘iamthebest’.
So why would the Shoaib Akhtars of the professional world have a deleterious effect on an organization and its stakeholders? After all, they are star performers and maybe it is justified that are valued accordingly. At this point I will pose a question to you (the reader); in your professional experience, would you say that a Shoib Akhtar takes an organization forward towards the achievement of its goals? After all that is what an organization expects! Let me pose a few more questions that may strike a chord with you (the reader).
Q-1: How does a Shoaib Akhtar react to success?
A-1: In all probability, he belittles his subordinates and colleagues alike
Q-2: How does a Shoaib Akhtar react to an occasional failure?
A-2: In all probability, he blames others (his boss, subordinates, x-colleagues, unreasonable clients, etc) and everything else (the economy, the product/service, etc) rather than introspect.
Q-3: What does a Shoaib Akhtar do in case of a burnout?
A-3: In all probability he pollutes the office environment with his tantrums. He pulls down every upcoming star performer whom he would view as a threat, and badmouths the very top management and the HR organization that was desperate to appease him.
In my opinion (based on my limited experience), such so called ‘Star Performers’ are known to have a deleterious effect on an organization. Let me elaborate my opinion by defining a paradigmatic Shoiab Akhtar that we encounter in our professional life. In a sales organization, a Shoaib Akhtar would consistently achieve/surpass his targets. He would crack all the big ticket accounts, make the maximum incentive, and demand the highest increment. He will negotiate the best discount for his customers, do away with maintaining the sales process, and always be late for work. Also, he will keep the HR on its toes as a result of his never ending demands of recognition; monetary and otherwise. On a lighter note, in all probability, his system password will be ‘iamthebest’.
So why would the Shoaib Akhtars of the professional world have a deleterious effect on an organization and its stakeholders? After all, they are star performers and maybe it is justified that are valued accordingly. At this point I will pose a question to you (the reader); in your professional experience, would you say that a Shoib Akhtar takes an organization forward towards the achievement of its goals? After all that is what an organization expects! Let me pose a few more questions that may strike a chord with you (the reader).
Q-1: How does a Shoaib Akhtar react to success?
A-1: In all probability, he belittles his subordinates and colleagues alike
Q-2: How does a Shoaib Akhtar react to an occasional failure?
A-2: In all probability, he blames others (his boss, subordinates, x-colleagues, unreasonable clients, etc) and everything else (the economy, the product/service, etc) rather than introspect.
Q-3: What does a Shoaib Akhtar do in case of a burnout?
A-3: In all probability he pollutes the office environment with his tantrums. He pulls down every upcoming star performer whom he would view as a threat, and badmouths the very top management and the HR organization that was desperate to appease him.
Q-4: What does a Shoaib Akhtar do when all avenues of blaming others are exhausted and he moves on to the next organization which considers itself ‘lucky’ to have hired a star performer?
A-4: He moves on with his baggage of frustrations and again badmouths his x-organization, x-boss, x-colleagues, amongst others.
To conclude, I will take a stand that it is prudent to let go of a star performer, no matter how brightly he shines. I was impressed by the PCB as it realized that Shoaib Akhtar is doing more harm than good to the team. He was not taking the Pakistani Cricket Team forward. The Shoaib Akhtars of the world are continually insolent and the world of cricket and indeed the professional world alike are better off without such characters!
A-4: He moves on with his baggage of frustrations and again badmouths his x-organization, x-boss, x-colleagues, amongst others.
To conclude, I will take a stand that it is prudent to let go of a star performer, no matter how brightly he shines. I was impressed by the PCB as it realized that Shoaib Akhtar is doing more harm than good to the team. He was not taking the Pakistani Cricket Team forward. The Shoaib Akhtars of the world are continually insolent and the world of cricket and indeed the professional world alike are better off without such characters!
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