The 7 Elements of Team Composition

It’s a common philosophy across just about any industry. Recruit the best and the brightest and plug them into your organization.

But sometimes what prospects have in talent, they lack in other areas. We're confident we can mold them and that they’ll shape up once they’re in our system. But too often, the pieces just don't fit.

Whether we’re recruiting players for our college basketball program, building a sales team or hiring new personnel at a hospital, there are seven pivotal factors — along with a host of questions — that we should consider.

1. Talent- How skilled is this person we’re considering bringing on?

2. Character- What are this person’s values and morals?

3. Fit- How well will they mesh with other team members?

4. Fix- What existing weakness of ours does this person address?

5. Value- How will he/she make our organization better?

6. Risk- What are the red flags? What could go wrong?

7. Trust- Will this person be reliable and dependable at all times?

Across these 7 categories, let’s rank our prospects 1-4:

4 = extraordinary3 = good2 = average1 = poor

Your organization doesn't necessarily have to give equal consideration to each factor.

What’s important is that you find a weighted scale of these seven that fits your leadership philosophy.

Often times, the most important element of team composition isn’t deciding whom to add. It’s choosing whom to rule out.