I was reading a VC’s blog recently and I found it very interesting.  Basic stuff here and while it is a Football analogy, it applies to everything, especially the companies most of us work for.

A recent NY Times article featured Rex Ryan, rookie coach of the NY Jets-

“In Ryan’s first season as coach, he changed the Jets’ second-class existence through the sheer force of his bold and brash personality. He spoke loudly and often about the talent that surrounded him, until the players believed every word he said.”

and

“Ryan turned one of the N.F.L.’s most clandestine operations in into an open book. The Jets collapsed at the end of 2008 in part because of the tense atmosphere. Ryan changed that, changed a culture, changed the way people felt about coming to work.”

Companies are reflections of the people who lead them.  This also goes for football teams.  If you remember the Jets of last season, they do not compare to Jets I’ve watched in the playoffs.  The difference in the team is so visible. They play with a brash and bold style this year that was not on display with the previous leadership.

Great CEO’s inspire people to work with a bounce in their step and desire to do great work.   This is largely about people skills.  We all know people who have the special touch with people.  They make people laugh, smile, and feel good.  Those people make great CEO’s, leaders, and football coaches.

Great leaders need to have a plan, you need to be close to the product, you need to know where to lead people.  Here's another couple quotes from the Times article-

“Instead of operating from a tower like a dictator, Ryan walks the hallways, massaging egos, cooking up defensive plans.”

and

"Beneath it all, he’s super, super intelligent, like the guy in the movie ‘A Beautiful Mind.’ The things that come out of his mouth are not being shot from the hip. There’s a plan behind all of it.”

So there you have it. The recipe for a great leader is:

1) Knows how to connect to the team and make them feel good about their work

2) Someone who walks the halls and works on the product with the team

3) Has the intellect to make the right decisions

4) Has a plan

The Jet's lost yesterday but Rex Ryan has impressed in his rookie season.  He’s turned a good team to a great team with superb Leadership.

There was an article on one of the major job boards today titled “How to Craft a Candidate Rejection Letter or Email”, which has prompted our blog topic today.

Following up with candidates who have been rejected is essential, and it is a minor detail that separates poor recruiters from excellent ones. I guess sending a rejection letter or email is better than not providing a candidate with any follow up. I don’t believe we are so busy that we can’t take a couple of minutes to reach out to close the loop with those candidates who have been rejected, it’s a matter of providing quality service and prioritizing.

I would prefer not to send out rejection emails, but would do so over not doing anything to close the loop. Moreover, I would prefer to take a few minutes to circle back to the candidate by phone. A rejected candidate from one company might be a treasured candidate for another. You never know who the candidate knows or how dropping the ball with them could affect you long term. If they have had a poor experience it’s doubtful they would trust you with a referral.

My motto is to provide folks with a result be it directly or indirectly. Relationships are the key to our industry, to networking, and to building successful, long-term relationships. More times than not, the results we provide are in the form of career counseling, constructive feedback, resume proofing, and not in the form of an actual job offer.

The article I read today was correct about one thing, and that is not closing the loop with your candidates will damage your reputation and cost you respect. Pick up the phone, make a quick call, and save your reputation.

It only takes a few moments to debrief your candidate and to provide honest, but empathetic and constructive feedback. A few minutes of your time will go a long way in helping you to maintain your reputation, and provide the candidate with a pleasant experience.

We celebrate this day, honor, and reflect on his memory on this important day. 

Cheers to a healthy, happy, and prosperous 2010.