Over decades of hiring and leading people, I have consistently seen the same pattern play out.
If you place an online job ad and receive 100 resumes, here is what you will likely get.
Group A: The Unicorns (1–2 Candidates)
These are the true rock stars.
They require minimal instruction. Give them a desk and a computer and they will figure things out quickly, accurately, and independently. They are self-taught, highly motivated, and often become some of the strongest assets in the organization.
They are rare.
They are valuable.
They are unicorns.
Every company wants them, but very few companies actually find them consistently.
Group B: The Builders (70–80 Candidates)
This is the largest and most important group.
These candidates thrive with:
- Training and onboarding.
- Clear policies and procedures.
- Coaching and development.
- Structure and expectations.
- Consistent leadership support.
They are coachable, passionate, and eager to learn. With the right systems and leadership, they grow into excellent performers and long-term contributors.
The reality is simple:
Most great teams are built from Group B, not Group A.
But this group succeeds only if the company chooses to invest in them.
Group C: The JaMarcus Russell Effect (20–30 Candidates)
Then there is the group I call the JaMarcus Russell’s of the world.
If you are unfamiliar with the story: JaMarcus Russell was the #1 overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft. He was physically gifted: big, fast, athletic, and highly touted. The Oakland Raiders signed him to a massive contract with over $31 million guaranteed.
He also became one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history.
He looked great on paper.
He interviewed well.
He talked the talk.
But once on the field, performance never followed.
We see this exact scenario in business.
These candidates often:
- Arrive late.
- Lack the skills they claimed.
- Are not coachable.
- Display poor work ethic and attitude.
- Resist accountability.
- Underperform quickly.
What usually happens next:
- The manager excuses the performance because the employee is “new.”
- Micromanagement begins to protect the hiring decision.
- Pressure escalates until the employee quits or is eventually terminated.
The damage? Lost time, lost morale, lost money, and lost momentum.
The lesson: Do not be fooled by great resumes and smooth interviews. The JaMarcus Russell effect is real.
The Real Opportunity Is The Middle
Now let’s come back to the middle group of 70–80 candidates.
This group represents your greatest opportunity and your greatest responsibility as a leader.
Ask yourself:
- Do we onboard intentionally?
- Do we have clear policies and procedures?
- Do we train consistently?
- Do we coach instead of criticize?
- Do we provide tools, clarity, and feedback?
- Do we treat people fairly and develop them intentionally?
Or…
Do we simply give them a desk and expect them to be unicorns?
Many companies unintentionally fail their people by chasing rare talent while neglecting systems, structure, and leadership development.
Business Is A Team Sport
Business and team sports are remarkably similar.
Not every player on a football team is Tom Brady. Teams are filled with talented athletes, but they still need:
- Coaches
- Playbooks
- Training systems
- Accountability
- Development plans
- Coordination
You cannot place professional athletes on a field with no plays, no coaching, and no structure and expect championship performance. You might get lucky occasionally, but sustained excellence requires systems and leadership.
The same applies in business.
The Hiring Reality Every Leader Should Remember
When you post your next job posting, remember:
- Finding Tom Brady is rare.
- There is a large pool of candidates who can become excellent performers if you choose to develop them.
- Watch out for the JaMarcus Russell’s because bad hires are costly and contagious.
Winning organizations do not just hire talent.
They build talent, coach talent, and lead talent.
That is how championship teams are created on the field and in the workplace.
Ready to stop chasing unicorns and start building a winning team? Let’s connect and create the systems, structure, and leadership your people need to thrive.
