Leadership Happy Families

Happy Families is possibly one of the most popular games of the last 200 years. A simple concept invented in the 1850's - players started with a deck of 44 playing cards - each card featuring the picture and name of a family member and their job types -e "Bun the Baker", "Bones the Butcher and "Pot - the Painters Wife".


Now - jump forward to today and think about you own Executive Board, Management Team or the group / team in which YOU work.  Clearly they each have names and job titles too but what they also have are common characteristics - common to every company and every organisation.

Do you recognise any of them?...


DISTRACTER
Does things that takes attention away from the team's problems and finds distractions or 'other things' on which the team should focus
REBEL
Independent soul - doesn't ever quite fit in and happiest when not following rules. Makes a point of behaving differently to others but get's away with it because they are often good at what they do and often also they are good communicators. Can be high maintenance and hard to manage
MASCOT
Nice to have around so treated as good for the team but certainly not essential - with often questionable contribution to team performance.
FAVOURED SON
Perceived to get special treatment or extra attention or benefits that others may not get but is expected to be more responsible. Often very loyal and trusted by management.
HERO
This is the team member that saves the day - often repeatedly - whenever the team or organisation is in trouble. Need a big sale - in steps the Hero - need to
SCEPTIC
The doubter of the team- always keen to point out why things won't work. Tries to position themselves as the voice of reason - especially when confronted by new / creative / different.
JUDGE
It's never their fault - especially when things go wrong. Happy to point the finger at others - be the judge and jury and tell tales - not a desirable attribute but one that is sadly all too common.
SICKLY
Often ill, sick or impaired in some way  or has a 'problem' which is the excuse they always have for not participating in difficult or less popular tasks.
CHEERLEADER
Happy to shout encouragement but not so keen to stray onto the 'pitch' and get stuck in. Risk averse and likes to keep their hands clean
STAR
High performer and treated as such. Performance achievements means that mistakes and inadequacies are often ignored (sometimes to the annoyance of mortals). Generally good to have around as they often inspire.
SAINT
Never seem to do anything wrong. Can be pompous and righteous but usually highly moralistic and strong values - rarely challenged
SCAPEGOAT
Used by the team to bear the brunt when things go wrong - accepts their position as team whipping-boy and accepts responsibility for failure even when not directly their fault
JOKER
Fun to have around  but compulsive use of humour can be inappropriate and tiring.Often have issues facing difficulties themselves but equally can sometimes be a useful distraction.
PEACEKEEPER
Always there to keep the peace when the going gets tense. Tries to maintain harmony at any cost and in every situation. Never confronts things - always backs down.
MARTYR
Endures suffering on behalf of others - Takes blame for failures - usually works stupid hours and displays abnormally high loyalty to get attention and recognition - struggles with the concept of balance.  

To create true empathy, interdependence, trust and balance within a team - team members must be clear about exactly who they think they are, who other people think they are and who they think other people are....they can then have meaningful and truly progressive conversations about how to work together to best advantage.