Adopting New Players for Your Leadership Team

We're preparing to welcome a new grandson into our family in the next couple of weeks. When you think about birth and new life, they're not common, but extraordinary in the context of family. This event's truly special because our new grandson will be adopted...

And, lots of preparations are underway -- redecorating the room, carpeting the floor, buying clothes and other accessories, but most important of all, preparing big brother, now nearing three, to welcome this new brother. After all, he's had the spotlight all this time. Have you ever considered that adopting a new babe in a family's akin to successfully embracing and developing a new key player within your organization? Here's a few thoughts...

Vision Parents picture best outcomes and share news of forthcoming babe with "older brother" and motivate him to see benefits. Similarly, CEO's and managers can facilitate similar opportunities in an organization.
Why not ask two footed questions that spark current players' ideas for new vision. Listen carefully. Collaborative community springs from caring about others.

Nurturing Just as a big brother can feel closer to babe if he's given the chance to hold and feed him, your firm's leaders can play a major role in nurturing a new hire to succeed.

Everydayness When a babe's ushered into a family, Mom and Dad don't just provide a big welcome and then forget him. There's everyday tending to help babe grow into the kind of leader who'll use his gifts and talents in amazing ways.

Diversity Adoption opens wide the door for parents to welcome a babe from another culture. Immediate bonding lifts parents and big brother beyond any differences because they see a precious person. As the world grows smaller, people's unique gifts and talents enhance organizational outcomes.

Interestingly, Harvard Medical School Psychiatrist, Dr. Amy Banks, explored the neurobiology of human connection, and found that bonding and healthy relationships can change the structure of the human brain. More serotonin, a hormone of well-being, flows in the brains of top team players when cooperation and collaboration take the stage rather than competition and heirarchy.

My daughter and son-in-law are now preparing older brother for a new babe. Any new ideas about enhancing your recruiting and "adoption" process?