When you’re doing anything in a team environment, it’s easy to become enamored with the superstars or the moneymakers. But not everyone can (or should be) a superstar.
We all have different strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes, and personality traits which are better-suited for different roles. It’s always nice to have a go-to person to get the job done and it’s easier to see their value to the team. But what often gets overlooked is the glue guy.
The glue guy is the person who doesn’t need the ball to make a difference in the game. They can provide energy, help shape team culture, do the dirty work/work that nobody else wants to do, and provide many of the intangibles. They allow the team to function at peak performance because they compliment the superstars. If everyone needed the ball on offense and nobody was willing to put forth the effort on defense, you might end up with a good team, but not a championship-level team.
Don’t forget about the glue guy. Compensate them well or risk losing them. Chances are, you won’t know how important they are until they’re gone…