A team should be multi skilled that has synergy to make it function effectively and to achieve success. More often than not, we see leaders pack their team with like minded people, or people having similar skill sets and view point, so that their comfort zone is not disturbed. Same is true of CEOs of Companies. While such a course of action will apparently make life easier on a day to day basis, the team may not achieve great success.
Probably someone like Saurav Ganguly, under John Wright, managed players who varied in skill and temperament to create a wonderful team. The maverick Sehwag, the sedate/solid Dravid, the genius Sachin, the artistic VVS Laxman, temperamental Harbhajan, the rock like Anil Kumble, mercurial Zaheer Khan was a pot pourri of characters, seemingly not having anything in common. None of them had anything in common with Saurav, who himself was an highly excitable character with leadership skills. And Saurav had the rock solid but quietly efficient John Wright as Coach to back him.
When Greg Chappel took over as Coach, he tried to have players who will be comfortable with him, and of particular nature in the team, which led to the team under performing badly.
And Dhoni packed his team, of late, with yes men, taking out all dissenters one by one, and he the team performance took a nose dive.
One has to just have a look at Mahabharatham to understand the concept better.
Yudhishtira was the Conscience, the moral/ethical guy who was supreme in Chariot war.
Bheema was the source of strength, the powerhouse, who intimidated everyone.
Arjuna the masterly skilled Archer, in possession of an enviable range of Celestial Weapons.
Nakula, the ace horseman, whose skill was so essential in maintaining an Army whose backbone was Horses. It also brings forth the importance of having a good maintenance man in any team. One who will ensure everything is in its place and working. He was also a master swordsman, well versed in Ayurveda.
Sahadeva, the astrologer was also known for his wisdom. He could look into the past or future. A visionary who was an immense source of knowledge about the history.
Add to this, the Sagacity and Counsel of Sree Krishnan, and you got an enviable team which is multi skilled and having diverse core competencies.
Individually, they might not have become world beaters, but collectively they were formidable.
There is a lesson to be learned in team building from this.
