Do You Have “That Guy” on Your Team?

No One Likes “That Guy / Gal”

I'll never forget that lazy a$$ golfer from college

This guy was "placed" in our group for a class project as he didn't often attend class, due to him being on the golf team.

In the laziest and most confident manner, he informed us that he wouldn't be doing much to help the group and that usually groups carried him in his other classes.

To be honest, confusion and disbelief were my honest reactions, followed quickly by anger.

I wasn't having it

After a brief chat with the rest of the team, I went to the professor and demanded the lazy golfer be booted

A week later the professor asked if we'd reconsider as the lazy golfer apologized and promised to do his part.

Too late

We respectfully declined

To be on a team of any kind requires commitment and personal accountability

Some people never learn how to work well in teams

They try to figure out what they can get away with vs how they can best contribute

Maybe you've seen this yourself?

Accountability in teams doesn't just rest with the leader, but amongst the team members itself.

If only it were as easy as the lazy golfer made it for us. However in work environments, people are usually craftier at figuring out how to get away with doing as little as possible.

This is important to understand from a team dynamics standpoint.

Specifically, A players can’t stand C players (That guy/gal)

Accountability can be tough, especially in larger companies, yet its worth the timely processes because you are protecting your A players when you hold your lowest performers accountable.

Have you had this discussion with your team? Are they holding people accountable in ways you are unaware of?

Here’s a tip - Have a theoretical conversation on what it takes to be a good teammate. Have the team list out qualities and agree on a top 5 . If there is an issue on your team, a “quality” will be surfaced that is being broken.
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