Many projects don’t fail because of the idea or a lack of commitment – they fail because of the team.
It’s not uncommon to hear the saying “TEAM – Terrific, Everyone Assigns to Me,” capturing the frustration that arises when a team is thrown together without considering the people and their individual strengths.
But it can be different: when a team is deliberately composed of different types of people, a true Superpower Team can emerge.
Why Teams Often Don’t Work
In companies, there are usually different departments that tackle problems in their own way.
The research department thinks in terms of solutions – often missing the market.
Administration focuses on efficiency – sometimes without considering the customer.
Production sees the customer as a disruption and simply executes tasks.
Sales wants to sell – but sometimes wonders whether profit is even a priority.
These same department types are reflected in teams. That’s why it doesn’t work to simply assign a problem to “a department” or any random team. Everyone sees things through their own lens – and the result is often fragmented work, not a real solution.
When teams are randomly assembled, friction and disagreement arise quickly – instead of innovation and success.
The Right Composition: Diversity as a Superpower
The key to success lies in connecting differences.
Teams work most reliably when each member can contribute their strengths – and also knows when and where they are needed.
A Superpower Team is made up of different types of people with clearly defined roles:
- Researcher: Thinks creatively, seeks solutions, and has innovative ideas.
- Controller: Analyzes, detects errors, ensures precision and quality.
- Producer: Sees tasks through to the end, works diligently and reliably.
- Saler: Inspires, persuades, and presents results.
- Leader: Focuses on decisions, provides structure and priorities.
Important: These roles are not arbitrary titles – they reflect the team members’ core personalities.
Especially Researchers, Controllers, Salers, and Leaders tend to have a certain ego and need their space in the team. That’s why each type should only be represented once in a team – to avoid unnecessary conflicts.
However, having multiple Producers can be useful for handling work – as long as they are clearly guided and don’t discuss every detail endlessly.
Communicate Roles Clearly
It’s not enough to simply assign roles – they must be made visible and clear.
Every team member must know their function and understand what is expected of them.
This prevents individuals from trying to interfere everywhere or diminish the contributions of others.
Only then does true collaboration emerge – instead of fragmentation into lone warriors.
Plan and Use Difference
There will never be a “perfect team” – but a Superpower Team can always be created when differences are intentionally embraced.
People with different talents, perspectives, and behaviors can complement each other – when they know their role is both recognized and needed.
Superpower through a team of planned differences – that’s the path to new solutions, true innovation, and real progress!
