When was the last time that you heard the phrase "variety is the spice of life"? In what context was it used? Was it applied to experiences? Well - it can be. Was it applied to teams? Well - it should be! And team building can help it add that spice.

My definition of a team is one in which the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. Otherwise, it is just a collection of individuals. I find it impossible to imagine how my definition can be achieved if the team is comprised of clones os a single individual - no matter how good that individual is. Making the whole greater than the sum of the parts is about exploiting the differences between people, not the similarities.

Yet all too often, the differences become weaknesses instead of the strengths they should be. What is the key symptom of this? Unproductive conflict within the team. What is the usual remedy for this? Those in conflict keep apart - either on their own initiative or because they management steps in and enforces the distance.

I see this as a waste. Difference is good. It leads to more options, better decisions and higher performance. If it can be channelled. The hard part is in recognising the value. Without seeing the potential, what's left are problems.

Why are even fundamental differences between individuals in the same team collectively a positive characteristic? Let's take an example.

Suppose Sam is an energetic "up and at 'em" kind of character. Sam likes new things, enjoys a challenge and is naturally extrovert. Sam doesn