Making the most of the B team
By Clare Llewellyn West (March 2004 Issue)
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Let’s start at the beginning by asking who your B people are. Who is in the team? The precise definition of ‘B people’ would certainly differ from organisation to organisation, but I guess it would generally be characterised by words like ‘capable’, ‘reliable’, ‘solid’, ‘stable’, ‘responsible’ and perhaps ‘unambitious’. These people appear to operate largely within their comfort zones and although they often get little recognition for their contribution they may well be sorely missed when they are not around. They are the loyal workers in the hive; they achieve the routine tasks; they keep the wheels oiled; and they look after colleagues and customers. In a sense they are defined more easily by exception. They are not the bright and dazzling stars of the A team; nor are they the awkward squad. Just as in any normal statistical distribution they are the majority in the middle and so you really can’t live without them.
WHAT PLACES THEM THERE?
In order to make the most of your B team it is worth spending a little time considering how they came to be there. What are the factors that place someone in the B team? The obvious factor – sometimes seen as the only factor – is talent, aptitude or ability. These people are there because they just don’t have star quality. They are footballers without the David Beckham magic, dancers without the Darcy Bussel sparkle.
But there are other things that place people in the B team and, alongside aptitude, attitude plays a crucial part. People often stay in the B team because they lack the self-confidence to try for the A team. The B team is comfortable and safe, and these members have been getting the message all their lives that it is where they belong. And attitude matters. After all, we have probably seen or read the definition that success is ‘10 per cent aptitude and 90 per cent attitude’. Other factors relate to the relationship between individuals and their organisation. Even stars may turn into also rans when they are not comfortable with the style and culture of their surroundings. We have seen the red hot player ...
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