Here’s a thing I know about managing A-Players…
They crave ownership.
To be given a tricky, messy situation and to innovate and make it better.
To be responsible for the successes AND the failures of the systems they build and maintain.
To try new things that might not work.
And also?
It really bums them out when they have to constantly tiptoe around and explain themselves to people who are afraid of the kind of change they bring.
As a manager, anything you can do to remove obstacles (including human ones) from an A-Player’s path is a show of love. It’s another reason for them to stay and keep making your business more awesome.
Be the kind of manager who prioritizes the needs and contributions of your A-Players above the comfort of your B and C-Players.