But they also need the discipline an organization brings if the organization understands their strengths and weaknesses. I like to team a creative, relationship oriented free spirit with a steady, detail-oriented analyst. The good ones really appreciate each other. When I was responsible for management and executive training in the State of Oregon, I was stunned by how often our awards to the top trainers and training units would provoke bosses and coworkers to get nasty to those who received the awards. Another had her job eliminated in a cost cutting move.
Stars create jealousy and friction.
But they also raise standards and keep us conscious that principles and customers are more important than avoiding conflict. Sam, I find it interesting that you think a leader would hold back a team rather than actually take it further than it could have gone without one. I will agree that I've seen very few great team leaders, but even a good one provides the initial direction needed. I've seen tremendous value in doing this. As time goes on, the leadership doesn't disappear, it actually is circulated among the other members on the team.