Five different types of personalities on a team away trip

Look at a team, any team, any discipline and take a look at the personalities involved. This will apply to all the different types of sports. Team sports and sporting bodies are filled with “Chalk and Cheese” members. It’s life. If we were all the same we’d all be Volkswagens. So we decided to have a look at the five different types of personalities on a team away trip.

So catering for such a diverse range of personalities can be a challenge to any team leader. That becomes more acute when planning an away trip. Team members no matter how good they are at their particular sport. Can be odd bods that have to be handled in a particular way.

We are looking at five different types but in those five different types there could be another five and another five on top of that of personality differences. It is not the colour of the paint, it’s the quality of the paint that matters we could say.

Then of course there is an age profile of participating members or players. And while it is now politically incorrect to differentiate on the basis of age, older bucks seem to do things in a more measured way with more planning rather than getting a rush of blood and making an irrational decision on the spur of the moment. It is called Cute Hoorism. I suppose this could define one of the five different personalities. Generally people of a same age, especially members of a team will have more in common. Than with the younger lads with no “No boundary” sign stapled to the inside of their heads.

On the field of play, the blend of youth and maturity is invaluable in the strategy of playing and executing the game plan. One is again, a little slower, more measured and has to make instinctive decision in split seconds knowing that getting it wrong does not allow for time to recover and make corrections whereas the younger, fitter and more likely lighter team player can dive into a situation knowing that if he gets it wrong he has the legs to correct the mistake.

The second type of player is what would be called the horizontal player. So laid back he is nearly parallel to the ground. Don’t be surprised if he turns up at the airport on the outward journey with just a dirty pair of boots in a plastic shopping bag and no luggage case. Cash and ID will be shoved down his arse pocket and he will be depending on borrowing a pair of shorts and socks from a team member. And “borrowing” a towel from the hotel bathroom. These laid back, “couldn’t give a tinkers curse” guys generally would nearly need a tracking device attached to the back of their necks.

Make sure that all monies due from these guys are collected before the first departure gate. A huge contrasting gap then appears between these guys. And the guy who thinks he’s the greatest player since Adam was an infant. But in reality can’t kick a ball. They usually have two pairs of everything, including boots, one with long studs, and the other with short ones. Everything is well organised and the hair is always perfect. No messing, no fooling about and drinks modestly if not a tee totaler.

This player will have his ticket paid for well in advance and can be depended on to do any task except score a goal. That said an invaluable member of the team. Then there are the regular guys who just turn up, play football, pay their bills, have a few pints and enjoy the craic. Generally these team players make up the majority of any travelling team. Yeah, all different not like the Volkswagens.