Every professional team is characterized by 2 core aspects
Knowledge (/skills) and values
And through this you can create a management consultant’s dream tool – a 2×2 matrix
So there are 4 kinds of people who could be on your team
1. Don’t have the same knowledge and don’t share the same values
These are usually not part of the team. Even if they creep in, they are easy to find and get picked out.
2. Have the same knowledge and share the same values
As rare as they are, these are the ones that truly move organizations forward. These are the team members everyone craves for
3. Have the same knowledge but don’t share the same values
Super super dangerous. Because here is the deal about knowledge and values
Knowledge is acquired
Values are adopted
And the minute one of the team members acquires more knowledge than the other, the gap in values makes this knowledge gap even harsher. To the point that it can’t be even explained.
I can’t code better than you but I will steal code to make myself better
I am a better sales guy than you and I will bribe my customers to always stay ahead
I am better with people than you are, so I will manipulate them to agree to me
4. Don’t have the same knowledge but share the same values
The tribe you should be looking for.
The way all hiring should be done
The quadrant based on which teams should be built
I can’t code better than you so I would love for you to review my code for me
I am a better sales person than you, so come along and we will close together
I am better with people than you are – let me tell you how
I am not as good as you, but I will seek your help to become better
From now on, whenever you meet your colleagues, question which quadrant do you fall in
And ask yourself, what can I do, if at all, to move us to the quadrant of same knowledge and values.
If you can’t, then move yourself or the person out of the team!