The 5 Types of Team Members Every Team Needs

What kind of team members would you wish to have as a leader/manager?

I'm sure if people had the super-power of choosing the make-up of their team members, they would choose to have a particular set of people. However, I'm happy to announce to you that these types of team members in any team, will make the team not only blend beautifully, but also achieve desired goals.

Having a balanced set of team members is a rare gift for every leader/manager. The 5 types of team members every Team should have are: the Inquirers, Informers, Inspirers, Improvers and Impacters.

Now let's explore their characteristics and how to manage them as a leader/manager.

Inquirer:

These are team members I call the 'rigorous-minded' people. They like to dig into everything concerning the team even when it doesn't necessarily add to team goals. Inquirers are good team members to have, as they ensure the leader/manager is on track with their 'seeming intrusive' nature which puts the manager/leaders on their toes.

Characteristics:

• Critical about everything (and sometimes pedantic)
• Asks loads of questions
• Good at spotting errors/faults/'wrongs'
• Detail-oriented hence tend to speak for long (or write long messages)
• Analytical

Managing Inquirers:

• Give them the benefit of the doubt - sometimes they don't have 'negative intentions' behind their line of questioning.
• Don't get angry be patient but firm and use closed-ended questions to get clarification.
• Be transparent with them in all things relating to the business of the team.
• Provide assurances to allay any fears or concerns and build relationship on trust.
• Discuss rather than confront when engaging them.

Informer:

These are the 'speaker's-speaker' people. They are fluent, orators and are able to 'sell' the team's goals/vision/mission effortlessly without stress.

Characteristics:

• Good at communicating agreed actions.
• Prefers to get into 'doing mode'.
• Process-oriented and rule-bound
• Able to incorporate diverse views and options.
• Outward looking with high energy for people-engagements.

Managing Informers

• Use open-ended questions to provide them with adequate information so they can articulate ideas well.
• Give them opportunities to engage and speak.
• Open up on all processes involved in any decision making or team discussions.
• Provide opportunities for 'brainstorming activities - they flourish when they can engage in a conversation.
• Documentation helps to keep them in-line with what works for the team so they can communicate exactly the teams' views/thoughts.

Inspirer:

These are the 'innovative-incubators' in the team. They work the magic to produce brilliant ideas in and for the team. With their creative prowess, they are able to weave through difficult situations that produces innovative results for the team.

Characteristics:

• Creative and reflective thinkers
• Solution finders/seekers
• Spot opportunities to leverage on
• Big picture-oriented
• Enthusiastic and positively optimistic

How to Manage Inspirers

• Useful to allow them time to reflect and think through stuff.
• They may not always be 'loud' during brainstorming process. Yet they are able to feed off conversations and discussions which serves to 'light their 'bulbs' and allow their creative juices to flow.
• Most productive when engaged in 'brainwriting' - instead of allowing verbal discussions on issues, allow inspirers time to think on paper or using reflections.
• Provide them with opportunities to learn and grow with every assignment.
• Praise them for their efforts and creativity. Celebrate their innovative thinking.

Improver:

The 'value-adders' in the team belong to this category of team members. They connect the dots to enhance the team's delivery and operations. Their competitive nature helps the team to title their I's and cross their Ts.

Characteristics:

• Takes charge and gets things going.
• Task and progress oriented.
• Adds value to initiatives and processes.
• Curious and open-minded.
• Perfectionists.

How to Manage Improvers

• Praise them for their work and contribution.
• Give them 'leadership' roles as they like to see/feel/think they are making real-time value addition.
• Provide them useful and timely feedback as seeking out feedback is part of their nature helps in their personal and professional development.
• Use their zeal to learn and explore positively for the teams' benefit.
• Communicate with timelines so they know the turnaround time for what you need/expect from them.

Impacter:

These are the 'transformative-strategists' in the team. Their forward and future-look orientation makes them think into the future which allows the team to explore goals and decisions that stand the test of time. Impacters always want to leave a positive impression wherever they find themselves hence very much interested in the relationships they build.

Characteristics:

• Thinks strategically and into the future.
• Works towards unifying team
• Thinks long-terms.
• Caring and relationship-focused
• Results-oriented and impact conscious

Managing Impacters

• Do not micromanage them as they are self-motivated individuals hence need little or no supervision.
• They love to be the 'go-to' persons in the team.
• Natural leaders hence provide them with opportunities to groom others (especially new/unexperienced or up and coming team members)
• Their greatest strength is in times of team challenges/difficulties. Use them to get desired results.

It is important to note that there isn't a preferred team member as each of these team member plays vital role in the success of the team. Teams that have a fair representation of these team members utilise the fine balance of their characteristics for the teams' gain.

?Reflective Question:

• Which of these team members do you have or don't have in your team?
• Which of them do you misunderstand thereby 'labelling' them?
• How can you spot, develop and ensure that your team have the right balance of team members?

Remember that all what matters as a leader is the influence and impact you make. Your #footprint is your #signature and #legacy - make that impact #uniquely #yours.