You are a manager of a project and are given the luxury of selecting your people. You can select any 5 of the 10 people. What attributes do you look for in a team member? What is the mix of attributes, traits, skills, talents that you should gather into your team?

If it is a shorter project (3 months) you should have a lot
of task-oriented, good technical experts on board; however
if the project team is large (more than 8), the duration
greater than 6 months then having a few social oriented
people on board would reduce the interpersonal-
communications strain from the project team.

1. Excellent technical, professional competence
Business projects require professional skills. If it is a
shorter project (3 months) you should have a lot of task
oriented, good technical experts on board; however if the
project team is large (more than 8), the duration greater
than 6 months then having a few social oriented people on
board would reduce the interpersonal- communications strain
from the project team.

2. Good interpersonal skills
Effective interpersonal communication is vital to the smooth
functioning of any task team. Communication skills --
listening, written and oral, telephone, email -- are a
must. Conflict handling, negotiating skills are an added
advantage. Trusts, supports, and has genuine concern for
other team members. Helpful and cooperative with others.

3. Sharing, giving tendency
Shares his knowledge and expertise freely with team members.
Shares openly, with honesty and integrity with others
regarding personal feelings, opinions, thoughts, and
perceptions about problems and conditions. Does not engage
in one-upmanship. Gives of his time, energy and heart to own
and solve the problems that arise during the course of the
project.

4. Respects authority
Has an aura of authority around him. Gains the respect of
every team member. Respects his boss, the Top Management of
the organization and the customers’ managers. Consoles and
reasons with other team members and resolves complaints of
other team members with patience, understanding and empathy.
Understands and is committed to team objectives..

5. Cares for the customer
Polite, courteous to everyone including the customers. Has
real concern and thinks of both short term and long term
benefits from customer’s viewpoint. Negotiates well with the
customer and the company’s Top Management to ensure less
stress and strain for the team.

6. Self-reliant, happy, positive person
Comfortable with himself. Respects himself and will not
become a sycophant (insincere compliment giver, trying to
get into boss’ good books insincerely). Positively charged,
full of enthusiasm and love for his work. Puts in an honest
day’s work and is willing to cheerfully put in a few extra
hours whenever the need arises.

7. Welcomes feedback
Encourages feedback on own behavior Takes the necessary
corrective and preventive actions to ensure harmony, peace
and joyful environment for project execution.

8. Finger on the pulse
He has a finger on the pulse of the teams’ feelings and
concerns. Helps to fix the conflicts, negotiates between
conflicting parties and negotiates a win/win ending. Is
aware of what goes on around him, is able to sense danger
and steer the team members onto happy solutions faster.

9. Delivering on commitments
Reliable, dependable person. Always keeps his promises and
commitments. Informs customer and boss well in advance when
things go wrong, Discusses the issues and concerns and sets
new commitments.

10. Integrity, honesty and trust
Whatever good qualities a person may possess, they are of no
use to him or to anyone else when he does not have integrity
of character. Integrity is being true to oneself, honesty is
being true to others. He should be trust worthy and trust
others with his eyes open. He is able to evaluate phoneys
and insincere people a mile away.

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