Since this website is trying to take a look at things from the perspective of a General Manager of a sports team, there is a basic question that needs to be considered. (listed above, dope)
There have to be some universal qualities that make some GM’s better than others. Some personality traits, business practices, or commonly held beliefs that make 20% of GM’s better than the other 80%.
1. Self-Awareness
I think this is the single most important quality of a successful General Manager in any sport. Being aware of your own limitations and strengths can help anyone succeed in any line of work, but especially one where you oversee an entire organization of people. Let’s look at baseball for instance. Through 4+ leagues (low A, high A, AA, AAA, MLB), a General Manager may be responsible for the contracts of 100 or more baseball players. It takes a delusional man to think he has the knowledge and skill to manage each one of these players on his own. A self-aware GM would surround himself with an excellent staff that he trusts to make good decisions with player development, and give good advice in acquiring or keeping players.
2. Friendliness/Approachability
This quality may seem unimportant to some, but I think it really can separate the two classes of GMs. A GM that can communicate well, get to know players, and draw them to his respective venue is a huge asset to a team. A GM may be softspoken like Joe Dumars, a wunderkind like Theo Epstein, or anything inbetween. Players want to feel wanted, and they want to feel like the GM cares about them individually, or desires them to come to the team genuinely. A personality that goes beyond business decisions can really help a GM build a good organization.
3. Business Savvy
Being able to talk to players is wonderful, but they do actually have to sign a contract with a dollar amount on it before they play for the team. It is important that a GM be wise enough financially to construct a team that can last. Now, that may mean overpaying for a star, or it may mean letting that star walk, if the asking price is too high. Some amount of freedom can be taken away by the stinginess or generosity of the owners checkbook, but a crafty GM can find ways to sign new talent, keep established talent, and get rid of fading talent, all while keeping a team building towards something great.
There must be many other things that make up a talented General Manager, but these three seem, in my mind, to be common traits among the best of the best.
