I'm in the process of hiring a new full-time employee.  Thank you for your concern.  I used to love the process, but since the pandemic, I confess, I’ve struggled. This next statement doesn’t apply to everyone, but I’ve seen more of it in the last four years than I’ve seen in over 20 years of hiring folks.  Job loyalty, commitment and teamwork/collaboration seem to be lacking in many candidates.

I did some research and found what I consider to be game changing information that I just had to share with you.  It comes from my second favorite leadership author.

Patrick Lencioni’s book, The Ideal Team Player, breaks down what makes someone truly valuable to their team and organization. At the core of his findings are three essential qualities: humble, hungry, and smart. These traits aren’t just helpful in creating a good teammate; they’re vital for great leadership. If you embody these characteristics, you’re not only more effective at leading but also fostering an environment where your team can thrive.

Let’s unpack these three tips and dive into why they matter:

1. Humble: The Foundation of Teamwork

Humility is at the heart of being an ideal team player. A humble leader is someone who doesn’t think too highly of themselves or seek constant recognition. They put the team’s success above their own personal glory. Humble leaders are willing to share credit and admit their mistakes, which fosters trust and open communication.

Humility doesn’t mean being a pushover, though. Lencioni makes it clear that humility is about balance. It’s about recognizing your strengths and the value you bring, but never letting ego get in the way of collaboration or team success. Humble leaders build stronger teams because they prioritize the collective goal over individual gain.

2. Hungry: The Drive for Excellence

I think this one is the most important. Being hungry is about having the internal drive to achieve and succeed. Hungry leaders are constantly looking for ways to improve, pushing themselves and their teams toward higher standards. They don’t need external motivation because they’re naturally driven by a desire to make progress and see results.

However, Lencioni cautions against letting hunger become unhealthy. A leader who’s too hungry for success might become obsessed with outcomes to the point of burning themselves out or neglecting their team’s well-being. But in the right balance, hunger ensures that you’re always striving for more—never settling for mediocrity.

3. Smart: Emotional Intelligence in Action

Being smart, in this context, isn’t about IQ or technical skills—it’s about emotional intelligence (EQ). Smart leaders know how to read people, situations, and dynamics. They understand how their words and actions affect those around them, and they’re able to navigate relationships with tact and empathy.

Emotional intelligence helps leaders avoid unnecessary conflicts and miscommunications. It’s about being aware of team members' emotions and needs and using that knowledge to keep the team cohesive and productive.

The Danger Zones: What Happens When You’re Missing a Key Trait?

In The Ideal Team Player, Lencioni also describes what happens when someone lacks one of these three critical traits. These individuals can create dysfunction within the team, even if their intentions are good.

1. The Accidental Mess Maker (Hungry and Smart, but Not Humble)

The Accidental Mess Maker is someone who’s driven to succeed and has the emotional intelligence to work well with others, but their lack of humility can cause problems. They may not intentionally seek the spotlight, but they often dominate conversations or take too much credit for team accomplishments. This can lead to resentment and undermine team morale.

Because they’re not humble, they might inadvertently make decisions that benefit themselves more than the team, even if they don't mean to. Their actions create "messes" that others need to clean up, which can erode trust over time. In my experience, the person rarely sees themselves as lacking humility.  You can’t make them be humble.  They have to want to change so they can become a better teammate and that’s often the challenge.

Solution: For an Accidental Mess Maker to improve, they need to cultivate humility. By learning to step back and focus on the success of the team, they can reduce the friction their behavior causes. 

2. The Lovable Slacker (Humble and Smart, but Not Hungry)

The Lovable Slacker is someone who’s humble and emotionally intelligent but lacks the drive to push themselves and the team forward. They get along well with others and are liked by everyone, but their lack of hunger means they don’t contribute as much as they could.

Solution: The Lovable Slacker needs to find motivation. Leaders can help by encouraging them to set specific goals and showing them the bigger picture of why their contribution is important.

3. The Skillful Politician (Humble and Hungry, but Not Smart)

The Skillful Politician has drive and humility but lacks emotional intelligence. They want to succeed and are willing to work hard, but they often miss social cues or fail to understand the interpersonal dynamics within the team. This can result in poorly timed comments, unintended offense, or decisions that alienate others.

Solution: The Skillful Politician needs to work on their emotional intelligence by becoming more self-aware and learning how to read others better. Training in communication and empathy can go a long way toward helping them navigate team dynamics.

Lencioni’s The Ideal Team Player highlights how the right balance of humility, hunger, and emotional intelligence can transform leadership. It’s not enough to have one or two of these traits—you need all three to create a well-rounded, high-functioning team. 

The elements are simple to understand but not easy to gage when you're hiring a new team member.  We all know it only takes one bad apple to spoil the whole bunch so wish me luck as I work to find those characteristics in my newest hire and the same to you, my friend.