There are many ways to build successful sports teams. This is a model I learned many years ago when working with football coaches. It is one that can also be applied in other kinds of teams.
Great teams often get the right balance between people who controlling, consistent and creative. Let’s look at each of these types of people and their contributions to teams.
Controllers
Good controllers act as positive models and embody the principles of thee team. They act as shapers and represent the coach on the field. They are good at controlling the game and following the agreed strategies.
Such people take charge of situations and drive the team to success. Good at making decisions, they act in a decisive way. They encourage other people and lead the way when the team encounters setbacks.
They often have strong personalities and sometimes have an aura. They set the tone and seem to dominate the space around them. They also rise to the occasion and do superb work when it matters.
Consistents
Consistents are the people that you can rely on to deliver the goods. They act as the spine for the team. They are diligent, follow good habits and deliver high professional standards.
Clear contracting is vital when working with such people. They work best when they know:
The What and Why: The specific goals to achieve and the reasons for achieving these goals.
The How: The specific guidelines to follow on the way towards achieving the goals.
The Who and When: The specific things that they and other people need to deliver – and by when – on the road to achieving the goals.
Such people are loyal but it is important not to take them for granted. Providing they are giving the right support, they will do their best to deliver the goods.
Creatives
Creatives sometimes provide that bit extra that helps the team to get over the line. They enjoy challenges and finding solutions. They can also sometimes go into another dimension and do something special.
Such people need to be soul players, however, rather than just star players. They need to be seen to use their talents to help their colleagues – rather than just be on their own agenda – to help the team to achieve success.
Some people will demonstrate elements of being all three types of workers. They can then focus on making their best contributions towards helping the team to reach its goals.
Great teams aim to get the right blend of people who are controllers, consistents and creatives. What may be a right percentage of each group? Some teams aim to get the following amounts.
Controllers: They aim for around 30% of the people being shapers.
Consistents: They aim for between 40% to 50% of the people being those who act as the spine for the team.
Creatives: They aim for between 20% to 30% of the people being those who can add something special.
Great teams will also change these percentages depending on the kind of work they do and the challenges they face. They then aim to get the right combination to deliver the desired results.
Imagine that you want to follow elements of this approach in your own work team. How can you get the right blend of controllers, consistents and creatives? What would be the benefits of taking this approach?
If you wish, try tackling the exercise on this theme. This invites you to complete the following sentences.
Leave a Reply