Build an A-Team

PLAYING TO THEIR STRENGTHS

Give people slightly more trust, freedom, and authority than you are comfortable giving them. If you’re not nervous, you haven’t given them enough.

—Lazlo Bock

Telisa Yancy is the chief marketing officer at American Family Insurance (AFI). It’s her dream job. Before arriving at AFI seven years ago, she filled substantial roles with iconic American brands such as Burger King and Ford. She’s worked hard to move up the ranks. One might excuse her for relaxing a bit. But her boss has a different agenda. AFI’s CEO, Jack Salzwedel, doesn’t want her to be a middling CMO, he wants her to be exceptional. Yancy credits Salzwedel ...