In a day where everyone gets a trophy for showing up, this lesson is going to infuriate some of you.

But it shouldn’t.

The lesson is to let your ‘stars’ know they are your stars. Stars are your team members that crush their goals every month. They read more books than others, get more tasks done than others, dive on more fumbles than others and give you and the team 100% every single day. They are the top 5% of your organization. 

As a leader, these players are your favorites. Don’t hide it.

I don’t mean that you create a toxic feeling of favoritism on the team. What I do mean is that you need to let that person know that they are one of your stars, one of the cornerstones of your team.

If you see them as a future leader, tell them.

If the deal they closed last week is the only reason the company paid out Christmas bonuses, tell them.

If they need unexpected time off to go do something fun, give it enthusiastically and don’t worry about deducting it from their Paid Time Off.

If their spouse or parent comes to the office, brag on your star to them. They deserve it.

This isn’t unhealthy at all for your team. It tells your team that you recognize people that leave it all on the field and that everyone can be a star. 

Sometimes stars leave a team for more money. Most of the time, it’s to work with other stars and work for a leader that sees their even bigger potential and is smart enough to fan their flame. 

When it’s third and long, don’t think which plays; think which players.