Do You Have Game?

I had an excellent day today on campus. I had the pleasure to speak to our incoming MBA Class of 2009...this group is definitely poised to rule the world! Not only did they look good, but their intensity, intelligent questioning, articulated competence, prior corporate experience, and projected confidence, would be any corporate recruiter's dream.

But after leaving this class of future business leaders, I thought about the fact that some really seemed to stand out in the crowd, even amongst this group of excellent students, ...this group seemed to be the Tigers, MJs, Bob Johnsons of the group-- this group had demonstrated real game! The group with game asked the second level questions after the session about actual information resources and networks that they could follow-up on that were in alignment with their well-thought out and articulated plans. This group, presented me with polished resumes they had prepared in anticipation of meeting me in our scheduled session. This group was quick to whip out their PDAs to schedule coaching sessions to have me listen to and review their professional development strategies, and to schedule times to review currently available corporate opportunities and graduate positions available in my office. This group had people that emailed me before I even returned to my office after the presentation with attachments of their resumes, thank you notes and schedule options for follow-up meetings. One student even convinced me that she definitely was one of the students my office needed to sponsor to the upcoming Black MBA Conference...now that's game!

Game recognizes game, I certainly could see the difference between those that were ambitious, and those that were already poised and positioned to move and deliver instantly. They seemed to understand that in a competitive world talk is never to be confused with action, or substantive research, and certainly not to be confused with moving quickly to secure your opportunity. People with game realize that a lot of people like to talk about the game, are fans of the game, or maybe are even "ball hogs" at the start of the game. But those with real game are prepared and poised to ask for the ball when the game is on the line and it is time to win!

Business leaders invest their time and resources on people with game, not on the people comfortable on the bench, not on uncoachable people who have loose and irresponsible mouths, and certainly not those sitting in the crowd (they charge you to be in the game). Today's corporate and global business leaders and even investors are looking for young professionals that have already demonstrated their ability to deliver when given the opportunity, are prepared through practice and preparation, those that are ready to deliver without "extensive personal support and coaching." Another words they are looking for people with game.

Do you have game, or are you just another talker?? This fall millions of college students will enter college and unfortunately many will wash out, not because they don't have the talent and potential to succeed, but because they won't take the time to "work on their game," "receive coaching," or stay a little late after practice to work on their fundamentals or areas they need to improve on. Those with game will succeed because they will recognize others with game, take notes of their moves (and even imitate successful gamers). Some will watch from the sidelines only to dream of the day thy will get their "lucky shot" but never realizing that it takes practicing "their shot" daily to actually get it right, get in the game, and impress the "pro scouts." Hey everybody isn't going to be MJ, or Tiger, but if you work on your game this fall, you will have an opportunity to be the next Bob Johnson, Earl Graves, Chris Gardner, or Kathy Hughes. But remember that these executives are willing to work hard, deliver under tough conditions, don't have entitlement issues, and when the time comes they want the ball...they have game! Do you?

Let us know what you think

kwells@howard.edu

Kim R. Wells