With the news of Lebron’s departure from the Cleveland Cavs announced last night, the emotions of Clevelanders are running high. There are so many lessons we could discuss from this situations in the world of the workplace, but it is also good to find humor in those emotionally charged events. Nick Fishman of EmployeeScreenIQ writes in his blogabout the background check of Lebron:
Let’s take a look at what LeBron’s employment background check might look like the next time he looks for a job:
Criminal Background Check: Guilty of Stealing the Hearts of the entire city of Cleveland
Motor Vehicle Record: Speeding out of town
Employment Verification: Check out Cavaliers’ owner Dan Gilbert’s reaction. Do we think he would offer a glowing reference?
Now that we have seen the humor the situation can bring, let’s discuss at least one lesson. DO NOT BURN BRIDGES! If you get your dream job offer that you just can’t refuse, don’t feel bad about taking it. But be sure to leave your current employer with dignity and tact. You never know if your dream job will eventually turn out to be a nightmare. While us Cavs fans are hoping Gilbert’s prediction about the curse is right, Lebron should be hoping it works out in Miami.
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Sheri Mazurek is a training and human resource professional with over 15 years of management experience, and is skilled in all areas of employee management and human resource functions, with a specialty in learning and development.
Sheri…
Hello from the Strategic Planning wing of the Free Management Library… and from another die-hard Cleveland fan!*
Here is another bit of learning we can all draw from the sad Lebron situation… Don’t negotiate against yourself! When Lebron set up his infamous interview with the ESPN folks, he effectively imposed a deadline on himself. Experienced negotiators know that what you want to do is impose deadlines on your opposing party, but you want to maintain as much flexibility as possible for pursuing your own interests. In Lebron’s case, this poor strategy may cost him millions…
Had Lebron simply told the Cavaliers of his intentions, the Cleveland team could have made the best of situation and arranged a “sign and trade” deal with Miami. Because of the way NBA rules are set up, Lebron would be allowed an extra year on his new contract, as well as higher salary. Brian Windhorst of the Cleveland Plain Dealer says that a sign and trade deal could mean as much as an additional $30 to $40 million in future dollars for Lebron.
So had Lebron shown the Cavs simple courtesy and respect, avoided the shameful public spectacle of “the Decision” and eschewed a self-imposed deadline, he may have ended up with a win-win situation. At this writing, the Cavs are in the negotiating driver’s seat, and may or may not agree to a sign and trade, as best behooves the team’s own best interests.
*see us over here… http://managementhelp.org/blogs/strategic-planning/
Mark
Mark,
Thanks for the comments and the insight! A great lesson for sure!