5 Roles to Boost Your Team

When talented teams underperform, the problem isn't a lack of ability but instead missing roles. Every team runs best when it covers five distinct functions. Match someone to each one and watch the quality of work improve in days, not months.

1. Director

Let one person have the final say on priorities and hold a 15-minute weekly meeting to quickly resolve stalled decisions.

2. Achiever

Give them the task-and-quality checklist, and excuse them from extra meetings so work lands perfectly and on time.

3. Stabilizer

Make this individual the guardian of the main schedule; let them pause the project if tasks go off track or deadlines fall behind.

4. Harmonizer

Ask them to check in privately with teammates each week; they spot brewing tension early and guide short fix-it talks before feelings boil over.

5. Trailblazer

Set aside two hours per week for this employee to chase bold ideas and share the best ones in a quick team chat.