Who really makes your team succeed?
It’s tempting to celebrate the star performers, the big wins, the people who score the goals or close the deals. But more often than not, the difference between chaos and cohesion comes down to something quieter: the assists. The glue people.
These are the teammates who keep everything steady, reduce friction, and quietly make others better. They’re not always flashy, but they’re invaluable. And when organizations overlook them, the cost is massive—burnout, disengagement, and culture decay.
That’s the focus of Episode 14 of Leadership Explored, releasing Tuesday, September 23.
🎧 Listen here: leadershipexploredpod.com
Why Glue People Matter
In sports, research shows assists predict wins more than individual scoring. Teams that move the ball, share the puck, and set others up consistently outperform those that lean on one or two stars.
The same holds true in the workplace. Collaboration, trust, and steady contributions build long-term performance. Without them, even the most talented teams falter.
Glue people are the ones who:
🧩 Translate between teams so context doesn’t get lost
🧩 Keep the temperature down when stress runs high
🧩 Make sure loops actually close—decisions are clear, handoffs are smooth, and progress continues
They don’t just prevent breakdowns—they elevate everyone around them.
What Happens When We Miss Them
When leaders fail to recognize glue people, two things happen.
First, the glue person burns out, often becoming the unofficial go-to for everything.
Second, when they leave—or even just take a week off—things fall apart. Miscommunication rises, progress stalls, and frustration spreads.
Worse, culture starts to erode. If only big flashy wins are rewarded, people stop making assists. Trust declines, collaboration falters, and the whole team suffers.
How Leaders Can Do Better
The good news is, glue people aren’t invisible once you know what to look for. They show up as connectors, translators, and stabilizers—the steady colleagues everyone wants to work with.
Recognizing them requires leaders to:
• Talk about it — Celebrate the assist, not just the goal.
• Measure it — Build collaboration and support into performance reviews.
• Protect it — Don’t let one person carry all the invisible work. Distribute responsibility and create systems that value connection.
Ultimately, it’s not about having one glue person. It’s about building teams where communication, collaboration, and assists are everyone’s job.
Listen In
Episode 14 — Assists & Glue People – The Teammates Who Make Everything Work — drops Tuesday, September 23.
We’ll share research, stories, and practical strategies to help you spot, support, and protect the glue in your teams.
🎧 Subscribe here: leadershipexploredpod.com
Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music, YouTube, and more.
Join the Conversation
Who’s the glue on your team?
Have you been in that role yourself?
How can leaders better recognize and protect these contributors?
We’d love to hear your stories. Reply here on Substack, email us at leadershipexplored@gmail.com, or connect with us on LinkedIn.
Until then—keep leading with purpose.