There’s a team model that uses the acrostic C.A.R.E. to give it memorability. You can see it depicted in this poster using the letter prevalent in its other name The “Z” Model of team building.

A project moves from a Creator across the top of the Z to the Advancer. Then it comes down the angle of the Z to the lower left hand corner where a Refiner type tweaks the project as to its details until the Executor gets it and launches it out the door.

On a team functioning at peak efficiency, there typically is also a Facilitator keeping the process running smoothly so the project doesn’t get stuck with a Creator who refuses to stop creating or a Refiner who is never satisfied with the extent of his/her refinements.

In my own team building sessions, I’ve laid out a letter Z on the carpet with masking tape – encouraging team members to take a copy of this poster and stand where on the Z they believe they make their most significant contributions. The other team members can then validate the team member’s own placement of himself/herself or move him/her to a different location on the Z.

A leader studies team building models such as this one to give guidance to increasing the effectiveness of his/her own team.

For more information on an assessment tool for use with this model, please visit: Team Dimensions Profile

Categories: Affiliation, Planning, Task Completion