>Hey Mark,
>
>Don't shoot the delivery boy :-)
>

Sorry, did not intend for that to sound like shooting.

>
>You are actually presenting the argument why this is both a pattern and anti-pattern. It's a pattern if the "guru" comes into the situation and mentors other team members; it's an anti-pattern if a hotshot comes in and thinks, with ego blazing, that only he or she can do anything right.

Part of the argument was to point out that in a true team concept [at least the way the professional trainers presented it], the existing team has total control over who is hired [added] to the team and who is fired [removed] from the team. Anyone added to the team is assigned to an existing team member for mentoring even if that person is a guru. The mentoring can be based on improving professional skills, teaching team skills and rules, or a combination of both. If this is properly implemented, egos and pride are pretty much held in check.

The reason the Chicago Bulls were so successful was they played as a team and Jordan left his superstar t-shirt in the locker room. They were a team of role players and one guru, but once they left the locker room they worked under a true team concept and made everyone look good. If you look at the remaining players from that team today, you see just how average or below-average the individual players really were. This also was proven during the 2 years MJ played baseball in the middle of his career. It sure did not hurt to have at least one hot-shot on the team. :)

For the team concept to work, the team is given total authority over personnel issues as well. The bottom line is the team is given all the tools necessary to either succeed or create a noose to hang itself. The team works under the cloud of knowing if it fails, management reserves the right to hang 'em all.

One of the team leader's responsibilities is to keep Management apprised of progress, issues and problems. One of Management's responsibilities is to give the team direction [that from point A, they have to get to point B, but not how to get to point B], and to help them overcome obstacles if asked or if needed.