I remember bits and pieces of Jim Collins’ book Good to Great from a reading assignment
during undergrad but I can’t say that this passage rang home with me until this
past year.
“Get the right people on the bus, the wrong people off the
bus, and the right people in the right seats.”
#1 How I Got on the
Bus
I jumped at the opportunity to volunteer with the athletics department
marketing staff during my freshman year at the University of Tennessee. After
one semester interning, I realized that I wanted a future in collegiate
marketing. It’s been almost 10 years since my freshman year of college (WOW!)
and I’m happy to say that I love working in college athletics.
“The right people have a real passion for the company and
work that they do.”
#2 Finding the Right
Seat on the Bus
When I arrived at the University of Miami in July of 2014, I
took the StrengthsFinder 2.0 behavioral assessment. If you have not taken this
assessment, I suggest doing so. Knowing your strengths is a great asset to you
in your personal and professional development, and also a great tool for your
supervisors and co-workers. Taking the assessment opened my mind to attending
the NACMA Management Programming Track Break Out Session called Professional
Development Tools and Assessments with Christina Wright from the NCAA.
I’d never heard of the DiSC behavioral assessment before the
NACMA session. I was a little skeptical of it at first but I followed the
assessment protocol and met with Christina to review my results in the lobby
bar that afternoon. She explained that my results suggested that although I may
have found the right bus by working in athletics I may not be in the right
seat. This idea was eye opening to me. She suggested that I keep my mind open
to event planning with a focus on revenue generation.
Again, if you haven’t used one of these professional and
personal development tools, I highly recommend it. Once you have the results of
the assessment, USE THEM!
Listen, research and soak up as much information about your behavioral style as
you can. Be open to the idea that the results may change your course for the
better.
In the last few months, I have moved into a new role with the
Hurricanes as Associate Director of Special Events and Community Relations. During
my short tenure in the position, I’ve planned and implemented several
successful Baseball special events - Princess Night (second-largest group sale
of the baseball season), Bark in the Park, May the Fourth Be with You (Star
Wars Night), Noche Latina and Jewish Heritage Day. Had I not taken the DiSC
assessment at last year’s NACMA Conference, I’m not sure if I would be in the
position I am in right now. My challenge to all of you is to take time out this
summer to learn about your behavior style, share it with your co-workers and
staff and find out if you are in the right seat on the bus.
Note:
Christina also mentioned in her session that NCAA member institutions and conference
offices are able to request funding to cover the costs associated with
providing their student-athletes and staff on-site DiSC assessments, workshops
and/or facilitators. For additional info, visit: http://www.ncaa.org/disc-behavioral-assessments
or email disc@ncaa.org.