Can You Be Ambitious AND A Team Player? - James Caan

Any manager or chief executive will tell you that the key to success in business is the people you have working for you. I have said before that ambitious firms will look to attract like-minded individuals, and if you have people like this on your staff thenyour business will benefit.
But it also stands to reason that if you really want to be working at your full potential you need to have your staff all pulling in the same direction. Teamwork is an essential ingredient in the recipe for success and it is the job of a good manager to foster and build that sense of unity.

If you're looking to take on bright, driven and ambitious people then there is an argument that what you are effectively is doing is creating problems for yourself as a manager. By its very nature, ambition can lead to competition and people putting themselves first. However competition isn't necessarily a bad thing, and sometimes setting targets and challenges can be a great motivator.
One issue which may be a problem is when certain people attempt to exert undue influence in the decision making process. I make a firm point of encouraging input from every single member of staff - everybody is valued and I am naturally the type of person who is receptive to new ideas. But in every organisation there has to be clear decision makers and leaders, and it is vital that they understand this before they start.
You will have to manage these people differently. Balance their characteristics with the needs of the business. It's similar to sports teams, where certain players have a bit of a maverick personality. They need to be man managed in a different way to others, and sometimes given a free reign to do things differently - but at the same time they have to understand what is best for the team.
In fact, this balancing act is a fundamental part of management. Having a blend of skills and personalities within one team is a good thing, as it allows for different approaches to different problems. People can also bounce ideas off each other and maybe pick up new methods in the process. The key is to get all these different people working towards one common goal..
Make your staff understand the short and long-term goals and what the company values are. Get them to really buy into what the company does - this also creates a sense of loyalty. The greater good should always come before the needs of the individual and each member of staff should be made to understand that.
There is always room for talented and ambitious individuals but that should never come at the expense of team spirit and the business's goals.