Finding your balance as a team

Building a high-performing team is all about balance, ensuring that each individual’s strengths complement the others and that together, they form a cohesive whole. One of the most effective tools for identifying these dynamics is Gallup StrengthsFinders, which helps you pinpoint the areas where each team member excels and where they might need support.

However, while hiring to fill your own gaps is important, it’s critical to understand that the person you hire for this purpose may not be your direct replacement. If they do end up stepping into that role, be prepared for a very different flavor of leadership. The goal isn’t to clone yourself, it’s to create a balanced team that can operate even better than the sum of its parts.

Diversity as a strength

Diversity within a team is a powerful asset, but it’s important to think beyond the usual focus on demographic diversity. Don’t forget about diversity of thought, experience, and capabilities. These forms of diversity can be just as crucial for team success, helping to ensure that your team has a broad range of perspectives to solve problems creatively and effectively.

Complementary skillsets

The team needs to be more than the sum of its parts if it wants to be exceptional. That means intentionally putting people together who complement each other. A great team isn’t just a group of individuals working in parallel; it’s a synergistic unit where each person’s strengths help mitigate the weaknesses of others. Be deliberate in how you build this synergy. There is a complementary concept explored in The 6 Types of Working Genius to look at where people excel in the lifecycle of an effort vs others.

Avoid the “school project effect”

In seeking balance, one of the pitfalls to avoid is what I call the “school project effect.” This occurs when one or two team members carry the bulk of the work while others skate by, offering little contribution. This dynamic isn’t just unfair; it’s unsustainable and unhealthy. True balance comes from shared responsibility, where every member contributes meaningfully to the team’s success.