Be a student of team dynamics regarding what works and what doesn’t. Understand the differences in human temperament: those who work incredibly hard (burn-out material) and those who are very lazy (bore-out material). And then there are those who want to do it by themselves and hate being led by others (Lone Ranger material) and those who are naturally subservient (Tonto material).
Creating a great ball-passing, intellectually self-feeding team happens when you get the mix right. So be a team talent expert and recognize you will need to get your carrot and stick technique right. Not all people respond in the same way.

Rule one: diversity in your team will be the magic recipe

Diversity spawns creativity, nourishes the human spirit, spurs economic growth, and empowers nations.
I love this remark. And I believe it’s true.
Researchers once put a team of white, alpha male brains in one room – desperately clever men – to solve a series of problems. In another room a diverse and motley group were assembled, from professors to train drivers to checkout operatives, crossing race, age, and gender groups. And – surprise, surprise – diversity won. Of course it did. Because it had more life and much more experience. It had a mesh of knowledge not just a mess of knowledge.
So in choosing your team bear this in mind. All men, all women, all young, all old, all white – any of these and you’ve got it wrong.

Rule two: why mercenaries usually make good team players

What? Surely this should read “mercenaries make bad team players”? No, it’s the whole concept of hiring the best available film crew and driving them to produce a great film. Everyone knows their part and is an expert. No one has time to waste because time is money. You start at 5a.m. and you finish late. This is business, baby. So if you are involved in a shortish – a year or less – project do not be shy about hiring freelance talent to help the team.