The 4 Levels of Team Members: Building an Agile, Effective Team
As a business owner, much of the frustration you experience stems from unmet expectations. Often, this happens because team members aren’t aligned with what’s being asked of them. The key to managing your team effectively lies in understanding who they are and what role they excel in.
One of the biggest pain points for business owners is dealing with constant fires and inefficiencies caused by team members being placed in the wrong roles. Trying to force a technician to act like a technologist will lead to short-term fixes that don’t align with your long-term goals, creating chaos down the line. Similarly, asking an admin to take on technician-level problem-solving leaves them spinning their wheels, overwhelmed, and stuck.
The key to cutting through this noise and reducing drama lies in clarity. When you understand who you’re working with—whether it’s an admin, technician, technologist, or strategist—you can align expectations with capabilities, empowering your team to work efficiently and effectively. This clarity prevents fires, reduces frustration, and fosters a smoother, more productive working environment.
Let’s explore the four levels of team members and how they contribute to your business.
1. The Admin
Definition: Admins excel at following established processes and executing tasks with consistency. However, they rely heavily on clear instructions and struggle with ambiguity or solving problems independently.
What makes someone an Admin?
- They lack confidence in troubleshooting and prefer to avoid risk.
- They value stability and thrive in structured environments.
- They feel overwhelmed when tasks fall outside of clearly defined processes.
3 Key Behaviors of Admins:
- Follow instructions to the letter and execute tasks with reliability.
- Struggle to identify inefficiencies or suggest improvements (e.g., repeatedly handling the same issue without flagging it).
- Tend to defer to others for problem-solving when something goes wrong.
- They require a high degree of certainity. They will often come back and say that things need more details and there should be many examples.
- Risk adverse, they will ask for examples rather than trying things themsevles
Management Tip: Provide admins with clear processes, metrics, and defined roles. Celebrate their consistency and offer gradual exposure to new challenges to help them grow.
2. The Technician (Cowboy)
Definition: Technicians are problem solvers who can figure out workarounds to get the job done. However, their solutions might lack consideration for long-term strategy or integration with other systems.
What makes someone a Technician?
- They have a knack for figuring things out but often focus on immediate fixes rather than long-term solutions.
- They enjoy challenges but may not naturally think about the bigger picture.
- They thrive when given autonomy but need oversight to ensure alignment with company goals.
3 Key Behaviors of Technicians:
- They avoid documentation like the plague and tend to work independently.
- When asked to explain out what they’ve done it’s “too complex” for them to be able to explain it to you or create training.
- Occasionally flag inefficiencies but don’t always consider the broader impact of their solutions.
- Focus on putting out fires rather than how to prevent those fires from happening in the first place
Management Tip: Use technicians to solve tactical issues but pair them with a mentor or manager who can ensure their work integrates seamlessly into the bigger picture.
3. The Technologist
Definition: Technologists think strategically about tools and processes. They aim to simplify systems, reduce inefficiencies, and align technology with business objectives.
What makes someone a Technologist?
- They have experience with both systems and business needs, enabling them to make thoughtful recommendations.
- They have a basic understanding of marketing and how it interacts with the technology.
- They naturally seek to optimize and streamline processes.
- They’re curious and proactive about identifying inefficiencies or redundancies.
3 Key Behaviors of Technologists:
- Regularly assess whether tools and systems align with the company’s goals.
- Suggest ways to consolidate tools, reduce manual labor, and simplify processes.
- Focus on creating scalable systems that support long-term growth.
Management Tip: Give technologists the authority to review and optimize your tech stack. Foster collaboration between technologists and technicians to ensure both immediate and long-term needs are met.
4. The Strategist
Definition: Strategists have deep knowledge of technology, business, and marketing. They focus on high-level planning and ensure the company’s tools and systems align with its long-term vision.
What makes someone a Strategist?
- They combine technical expertise with a deep understanding of business goals.
- They focus on big-picture thinking and avoid getting bogged down in implementation details.
- They thrive in leadership roles where they can guide teams and manage multiple priorities.
3 Key Behaviors of Strategists:
- Evaluate the company’s entire technical infrastructure to ensure it aligns with the long-term mission.
- Ask critical questions about scalability, adaptability, and user experience for both internal teams and external customers.
- Lead and mentor technologists, technicians, and admins to ensure all efforts are cohesive and purposeful.
Management Tip: Involve strategists in high-level planning and major decisions. Their insights can prevent costly mistakes and ensure your business is future-proof.
Why Understanding These Levels Matters
When you identify the roles your team members fit into, you can align your expectations with their strengths and capabilities. This clarity reduces frustration, improves team performance, and makes scaling your business more seamless.