The Ideal Team Player

Implementation Notes

• Identifying the three virtues: Lencioni highlights three key virtues of the ideal team player: humility, hunger, and people smarts. These qualities should be the foundation for selecting and developing team members.
• Humility: This quality implies that a person does not place their interests above the team's. Humble individuals acknowledge their mistakes and are willing to learn from others. Leaders should encourage a culture where humility is valued and rewarded.
• Hunger: This is the drive for continuous improvement and achieving high results. Hungry employees show initiative and are willing to work hard. Leaders should create conditions where employees can express their hunger by providing opportunities for growth and development.
• People Smarts: This is the ability to understand and interact effectively with others. People smart individuals sense the mood and needs of those around them. To develop this quality, it's important to conduct training on emotional intelligence and communication.
• Hiring: When hiring new employees, it's important to assess them based on the three virtues. Interviews and tests should aim to identify these qualities.
• Developing existing employees: For employees already working in the company, regular evaluations and feedback on the three virtues are necessary. This helps them grow and become more effective team players.
• Creating a culture: Leaders should actively work on creating a culture that supports and encourages the development of the three virtues. This may include conducting training, workshops, and other activities aimed at strengthening team spirit.
• Conflict resolution: It's important to resolve team conflicts based on the three virtues. Humility helps acknowledge mistakes, hunger seeks solutions, and people smarts find common ground with colleagues.
• Evaluation and feedback: Regular evaluation of employees based on the three virtues and providing constructive feedback help maintain a high level of teamwork and engagement.