On Deck: Your Ideal Team

Legendary basketball coach John Wooden, who recently passed away at age 99, said, "The main ingredient of stardom is the rest of the team." (I suspect that hoops uber-superstar LeBron James is thinking the same thing as he debates his upcoming free agent move.)rnIf it's true that the team's success creates our own success, then why aren't we spending more time thinking about--and creating--the teams we want?rnTo start you on your way, I've identified the six people you want on deck as part of your ideal team. Look around and start recruiting them now, before your next "game" begins! 1. The Manager. It may be a nice egalitarian idea, but self-managed teams don't work. Neither do "co-leads." Someone must ultimately be responsible. Even if you think you've seen these models work--look harder. Someone stepped up and led--and others let them. But don't be fooled--the Manager doesn't need to make all the decisions and carry all the burden. In fact, the smart Manager gets input from her team, and makes sure each member knows who owns each decision and action. 2. The Umpire. Who's keeping your team on the straight and narrow, reminding you of the rules of the game even when you get distracted or overwhelmed? The Ump can be a welcome addition to make sure your team doesn't go into foul territory. 3. The Ace. You need talent. Period. Sign the Ace. 4. The Utility Player. Talent's great, but adaptability and flexibility are critical competencies, too. The Utility Player flows like water into the nooks and crannies where she's needed. (Note: because she can do so many things, the Utility Player is in high demand. Worship her.) 5. The Groundskeeper. Who's keeping the project's "playing field" clean and organized? The Groundskeeper manages important files and records so the team doesn't waste time hunting for--or worse, recreating--vital information. The mistake most teams make is asking everyone to play Groundskeeper, which never works (try getting your Ace to upload emails to the database.) This is a game-changing role, great for the administrative professional who'd like to get more involved, or the well-organized up-and-comer who needs more exposure to the work content. Want to join a hot team? Volunteer to be the Groundskeeper. 6. The Fan. Who keeps encouraging everyone even when the results stink? Who helps each person see the best in each other? The Fan sings your fight song, stays until the end of the game, and generally makes it worth showing up. Plus, he's the first to start the wave when your work is a success, and the first to remind you of all the bright spots when it's not.