Iconic sports pros share what drives success – CNBC

Example: Lou Lamoriello, National Hockey League general manager

Whether a solo athlete building the team around you, or a manager building your team of athletes, recruiting for fit is the most important step you’ll ever take toward success. The master of this in modern times is NHL General Manager Lou Lamoriello, who is currently rebuilding the Toronto Maple Leafs.

From 1987 to 2015, Lamoriello was the GM of the New Jersey Devils hockey club, where he developed a reputation as a shrewd negotiator, a long-game thinker and, of course, the creator of the dynasty that won three Stanley Cups. However, in hockey as in business, it isn’t just about recruiting superstars. Recruiting for fit, in both business and sports, is key. In Lamoriello’s case, he built a team around his vision of defense-based play, so what fit with his vision were players who aligned with that vision, such as star goalie Martin Brodeur.

When I asked Lamoriello about this, he told me having your team buy into your vision is vital.

“If you don’t get the participants’ buy-in, then it doesn’t flourish,” Lamoriello said, “They don’t necessarily have to agree, but they do have to embrace it.”

A good example of this from the corporate world is HR software giant Ceridian HCM, one of our clients, which has perfected a recruiting strategy to help make sure prospective team members will buy into their culture. It begins right in the interview process. “Ceridian managers will often ask about interests outside of work,” said David Ossip, chairman and CEO of Ceridian, “The best candidates are able to provide differentiated answers that help clarify and underscore their character and values.”