At Hollstadt Consulting, being able to accurately identify truly great team players is our superpower. That’s why we have 97% project success rate, high Glassdoor (4.4/5) and Google (4.6/5) reviews, and why our employees, consultants, and clients remain so loyal to us. To ensure we maintain the highest standards of excellence, we adopted a unique approach to team building years ago that is rooted in the principles outlined in Patrick Lencioni’s “The Ideal Team Player.”
Why “The Ideal Team Player”?
Lencioni’s book introduces three essential virtues that define an ideal team player:
- Humble: Recognizing one’s limitations and valuing the contributions of others.
- Hungry: Possessing a strong desire to achieve and contribute to the team’s success.
- Smart: Possessing interpersonal skills to navigate social situations, build relationships, and resolve conflicts effectively.
Integrating Ideal Team Player into Our Culture
To embed these principles into our Hollstadt culture, we’ve made it a cornerstone of our vetting process. Every new Hollstadt Recruiter, Account Manager, Marketer or VP reads “The Ideal Team Player,” and engages in a Hollstadt-led book club to aid in applying the concepts. This ensures a shared understanding of our expectations and fosters a culture of collaboration and accountability.
A Real-World Example
A prominent client approached us with an urgent need for a highly skilled business analyst to lead a critical analytics initiative. Our recruiter, recognizing the unique blend of technical expertise and business acumen required, began searching for candidates who not only meet the job requirements, but possess all three essential virtues outlined in “The Ideal Team Player.”
Humble: Our recruiter looked for candidates who:
- Could acknowledge their limitations: Ideal team players understand that no one knows everything and are open to learning from others.
- Value the contributions of others: Ideal team players actively seek input and feedback, recognizing the value of diverse perspectives.
- Remain teachable: Ideal team players are eager to learn new skills and adapt to changing circumstances.
Hungry: Our recruiter looked for candidates who:
- Possess a strong work ethic: Ideal team players are dedicated to their work and consistently strive for excellence.
- Are ambitious: Ideal team players have a desire to achieve and are always looking for new challenges.
- Take initiative: Ideal team players are proactive and willing to go the extra mile to achieve their goals.
Smart: Our recruiter prioritized candidates who:
- Possess strong interpersonal skills: Ideal team players can effectively communicate with others, build relationships, and resolve conflicts.
- Are emotionally intelligent: Ideal team players are self-aware and can empathize with others.
- Are adaptable: Ideal team players can quickly adjust to change and thrive in dynamic environments.
After a rigorous search, our recruiter identified a candidate who perfectly embodied these qualities, and the client agreed. The candidate quickly integrated into the Hollstadt culture and began delivering exceptional results. Their innovative approach to solving business needs and their ability to build rapport with diverse stakeholders impressed the client.
Within a few months, the client was so impressed with the candidate’s skills and dedication that they referred to the new hire as a “unicorn.” This successful placement is a classic example of our commitment to finding not only top talent, but top talent with ideal team player characteristics necessary in building high-performing teams.
By prioritizing these virtues, we’re able to:
- Build Strong, Collaborative Teams: We foster a culture where team members respect and support one another, leading to increased productivity and innovation.
- Attract and Retain Top Talent: By emphasizing these qualities, we attract individuals who are not only skilled by also team-oriented and driven to succeed.
- Enhance Client Relationships: Our commitment to teamwork and collaboration translates into exceptional client experiences, as we work together to deliver innovative solutions.
A Shared Vision for Success
Ready to Grow Your Team and Career?
At Hollstadt Consulting, we’re committed to building high-performing teams and fostering exceptional careers. By embracing the principles of “The Ideal Team Player,” we’re able to identify and place top talent who are not only skilled but also culturally aligned.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you achieve your goals, whether you’re a business seeking to strengthen your team or a professional looking for your next big opportunity.
