But sometimes the good they do is more than the negative. There is a difference between a partner who is rude and callous to others' feelings, and a partner who simply isn't a team player. Every firm has high performing mavericks who think they are better than their partners and can't stand to work for someone else's client or on someone else's team. Typically, these entrepreneurs inspire certain assistants to work hard, and the assistants thrive on the challenge. Less energetic partners, however, find the maverick a real pain because they cannot rely on him or her to assist them on a transaction or to put the firm first.
Mavericks typically hog resources.
He or she will insist that their client deserves priority over everyone else's clients. But that can cause resentment among other partners who view the management as giving the maverick special treatment. It is a difficult balance to achieve, but usually the headache is temporary. Because they have little institutional loyalty, mavericks tend to move on. How to handle Because assistants and staff are reluctant to criticise partners, the problem often goes unnoticed for far longer than it should.