There are a number of theories about ways that team members can contribute to a team, and if you combine them I think you get a list something like this. I have divided it into management functions (yes, someone in the team needs to organise things, think longer term, etc), people functions (obviously, it’s a team!), creativity functions (if the team has got to achieve something then these are important) and then ‘doing the work’ roles – someones got to get on and do it.
Of course you probably won’t have a team as large as 16, so you’ll need to do several of these things each. The good news is that (depending on the task to be done) you might not need to do the creativity roles, although you probably will!
Management
- Organiser – of people and ideas
- Driver (time, speed results)
- Long term vision, higher view, detached
- Inspirer / coach / builder of people
People
- Networker – meets new people, collects new ideas
- Supporter – seeing the good in others ideas
- Humour and Fun generator
- Carer – spots if people are unhappy, etc
Creativity / Problem solving
- Creative – idea generator
- Convergent thinker – judging, selecting the best answer
- Opposer – devils advocate, makes sure first idea isn’t always chosen
- Black hat wearer – what might go wrong
Work
- Detail person
- Analyser – theories, ideas, understanding, complex problems
- Systems – organises, sets up, detached
- Stayer – routine, repetitive, patient, staying power
So: which ones are you good at? What are the gaps in your current team?
Leave a Reply