(First appeared in WRAL TechWire.)
Enter the Fab 4. And while I love a good Beatle’s reference, I’m not talking about them or the tribute band. I’m harkening back to a week ago when we introduced the four fabulous (and essential) contributors of high performing teams: creators, builders, sustainers and disruptors. Highly effective teams have a natural blend of all four role players, so this week I want to dig into the problems can arise when they don’t understand themselves or their teammates.
These nuanced roles have predilections, to put it simply. They see the world a certain way, and enjoy making contributions in some ways more than others.
Take creators, for example. Creators, the most innovative of the team, often have love-hate relationships with the builders, sustainers and disruptors. Afterall, they’re onto the next bright idea before the builders have finished crafting the last idea, and the sustainers keep putting on the brakes in order to keep the “ecosystem” in balance. Balance-schmalance, creators say! These ideas need to come to life today before they get stale.
And of course, your creator probably adores your disruptor one day (while out for drinks after work, coming up with new ways to transform the business) and can’t stand them the next (when the disruptor is telling them to burn it all down).
Likewise, your creator realizes she can’t live without the builder when a product seemingly magically appears on the shelf, and deeply values the sustainer after a tedious day spent in the trenches trudging through the tedious tasks the sustainer merrily handles with ease. “You *like* doing inventory?” the creator marvels! “Have at it… and please never make me do it again!”
So let’s explore who each of these four contributors are… and what happens when wires get crossed.
Now that you know a little more about the Fab 4, it’s time to apply it to your work situation. Here are some thought exercises to help you move forward:
Remember, while it might be more comfortable to go it alone, it’s more rewarding to appreciate the other contributors at the table and link arms. And, it’s my hope that you’ll have a little more empathy and compassion for one another going forward. In any case, I hope this gave you new language to use as you figure out the best ways to improve your team’s dynamic.
And who knows, maybe you’ll find yourself humming, “I get by with a little help from my friends.”
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