From top performer to top manager

Usain Bolt is the fastest man in history.

He holds the world records for the 100m, 200m and 4x100m.

He also, more impressively, won those races on a diet of only McDonald’s chicken nuggets.

(That’s true, look it up)

It goes without saying he is one of the most accomplished athletes in history.

But would he make a good coach?

Let’s imagine he steps onto the field, ready to transform a group of aspiring sprinters into champions. 

But something's... off.

Instead of teaching, he's running the drills himself. 

Instead of developing training plans, he's showing off his own technique. 

Instead of building a team of champions, he's still trying to win every race himself.

It sounds ridiculous, but this exact scenario plays out in businesses every day when we promote our top performers into management roles.

Just because someone can run a 9.58-second 100-meter dash doesn't mean they can coach others to greatness. 

And just because someone is your highest-performing individual contributor doesn't mean they're ready to lead a team.

The skills that make someone exceptional at their job are often completely different from what makes them a great manager. 

It's not about being the fastest anymore – it's about teaching others how to run.

So how do you help your star performers make this crucial transition?

Let's talk about the fundamental shifts they need to make 👇

First: Redefining Victory 

Your new manager needs to understand that they're no longer running a solo race. 

Success isn't about their personal best times anymore – it's about how fast their entire team can run. 

The moment they truly grasp that their achievements are measured through their team's success…. is when real leadership begins.

Second: Creating the Training Program 

Elite athletes focus on perfecting their own technique. 

Elite coaches?

They create systems that work for different types of athletes. 

Your new managers need to shift from executing tasks to building processes that enable others to succeed. 

Think of it as designing a training program rather than winning individual races.

Third: Mastering the Art of Coaching 

A great coach doesn't just shout "run faster!" 

They need to become masters of feedback, motivation, and communication. 

This means creating an environment where every team member knows exactly what they're working toward and feels supported in getting there.

This transition takes time.

Way more time than most companies allow for. 

You're probably overestimating what can happen in a month, and underestimating what can be achieved in a year.

Finding talented individuals who can make this leap successfully isn’t easy, especially when you’re leveraging global talent.

That's exactly why we created Sagan Passport.

We don't just connect you with elite global talent - we help you develop them into exceptional leaders. 

With Sagan Passport, you get access to:

• White-glove recruiting that matches you with talented individuals at 80% lower cost than local hires

• A complete library of field-tested templates & SOPs to set your new managers up for success

• Sagan Global Talent University's live training programs to develop your team's leadership skills

“It's a no-brainer to work with Sagan. Their ability...to find good people is just better than any other service. And the pricing is more affordable.” Sean O'Dowd, GP, Scholastic Capital (RE Investment & Property Management)

To see how we can help you achieve your business goals and scale faster with global talent…

👉 Schedule a quick 15-minute call with our team here.

Yallah Habibi,

Jon

Passage of the Week

I’ve really been digging Caucasian dancing lately. It feels like some bird mating ritual from millennia ago - it’s hypnotizing to watch. The way gender roles effect the choreography is fascinating!