How to Curate a Winning Team

(Without Losing Your Mind or Your Mojo)

Inspired by Mark Murphy’s “Team Players: The Five Critical Roles You Need to Build a Winning Team”

Let’s be real: building a team that actually works is harder than finding a parking spot at a famous super star's concert. You’ve got egos, overthinkers, ghosters, and that one person who still thinks replying-all is a power move. But bestselling author Mark Murphy is here to save us from the chaos—and he’s not serving up the same tired “trust falls and kumbaya” advice.

In his new book, Murphy flips the script on team building. Forget blending everyone into a beige blob of consensus. The secret sauce? Curating five distinct, powerful roles that bring out the best in each other—like a well-balanced charcuterie board of talent.

The Fab Five Roles You Need on Your Team

According to Murphy, every winning team needs these five personalities in the mix:

• 🎯 The Achiever: Your get-it-done machine. They don’t just meet deadlines—they beat them with a smug grin and a color-coded spreadsheet.

• 🧭 The Director: The strategic brain. They see the big picture, set the course, and make sure the ship doesn’t crash into an iceberg of indecision.

• 🔥 The Trailblazer: The innovator. They ask “why not?” when everyone else is stuck on “what if?” They’re bold, messy, and brilliant.

• 🧘 The Harmonizer: The emotional glue. They smooth over drama, read the room, and keep the vibe from turning toxic.

• 🛠️ The Stabilizer: The steady hand. They bring structure, consistency, and a calming “we’ve got this” energy when things get wild.

  
  

Why This Matters for Small-Town Leaders

If you’re running a small business, leading a community project, or building a local dream team, this framework is your new best friend. You don’t need a dozen unicorns—you need five people who complement each other like sweet tea and sunshine.

Here’s how to apply it:

• Audit your team: Who’s missing? Too many Trailblazers and not enough Stabilizers? Time to rebalance.

• Hire for roles, not just resumes: Look beyond credentials. Ask: What role does this person naturally play in a group?

• Celebrate the mix: Diversity of thought isn’t just a buzzword—it’s your competitive edge.

• Stop chasing consensus: Great teams don’t always agree. They challenge, stretch, and sharpen each other.

Curate, Don’t Clone

Murphy’s message is clear: stop trying to build a team of mini-you’s. You’re fabulous, but your business needs more than your strengths—it needs your opposites, your complements, your wild cards.

Read Mark Murphy's incredible book: Purchase HERE