A Change of Scenery

This weekend marks the trading deadline for baseball. There is a two-fold purpose for the deadline. First, it allows teams going nowhere to trade their high priced talent to teams in the pennant race. The hope is that they get quality prospects in return. Sometimes it works, other times it doesn't. Sometimes it works in the short term, but not so much in the long-term. Take a trade the Tigers made in 1987. They acquired a pitcher named Doyle Alexander to help them overtake the Toronto Blue Jays. Perfect! Except the guy they gave up to get him was John Smoltz, a certain Hall of Famer, to the Braves.

Many players changed teams this week. It is hoped that some will do better with a different team. They may have been buried with their current team. A change of scenery does some players good. Take Brad Lidge in 2008. After struggling with the Astros, he was traded to the Phillies and saved every game he appeared. Perhaps he needs another change given his recent performance. Players get in ruts, they don't get along with his manager, they are too far away from their family. Any number of reasons a change will work.

Are employees any different? In larger organizations, it may be better to move (or allow to move) employees to other departments, take a transfer, or even leave the company. In smaller, organizations, those opportunities may not avail themselves. In all cases, its important for the manager and employee to have a good discussion on fit, career goals and how their current position can help them meet their career goals. Too often, we're afraid to have that conversation. This allows bad feelings to fester and create an emotional departure to the detriment of everyone.

We should all be open to a change of scenery if it benefits all concerned. It often works in baseball-why not for your organization?