Week 29, 2018
People Archetypes, Part 1: Makers, Superstars, and Missionaries
Each week I share three ideas about how to make work better. And this week, the theme is team building.
There are two types of people in the world: those who divide people into groups, and those who understand that’s a gross oversimplification. Still, when building and managing teams, it can be helpful to think about archetypes.
1. Makers & Managers
Makers create things. To be productive, they need time to concentrate and focus. And so they divide their time into half-day blocks. Managers, on the other hand, manage things and people. They’re firefighters, and they divide their time in 30 min intervals.
2. Superstars & Rockstars
Superstars are constantly pushing for new and better things. They love to sprint and they bore easily. Rockstars, on the other hand, are stable. They’re are the productivity equivalent of marathon runners. And while superstars start things, rockstars finish them.
3. Missionaries & Mercenaries
Missionaries are driven by meaning and purpose. They think strategically about customers and value statements. Mercenaries, on the other hand, are more opportunistic. They capitalize on gaps in the market, and they think about competition and profitability.
Teams of superstars won’t finish what they’ve started. And teams of missionaries risk running out of cash before realizing their vision. To be effective, teams need diversity of thought. And archetypes can help. Use them (carefully) when considering who is needed on what team and why.
