Who Should Be on the Team

Keep in mind the temperaments and personalities of the people you want on the team, but don t make this a primary criterion for selection. For example, lone wolves can sometimes be prickly, but they may offer unique insights. And don t rule out known adversaries just because they don t like each other despite their differences they may well offer individual contributions. 

Remember also that an effective team needs both ideas and action, and often it s different people who supply them. Try for a balance between creative idea people and steady, committed workers. 

Traits to avoid include cynicism, laziness, and nay-saying, any of which can undermine a group s esprit de corps and impair its momentum. 

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