Ever felt the sting of missed deadlines, budget overruns, and low morale on your projects? All too often, these setbacks stem from a lack of “A” players—people whose absence creates skill gaps, lowers standards, and forces the rest of the team into reactive problem-solving.
An “A” Player is the person who consistently exceeds expectations, inspires their teammates, and drives the project forward through both technical prowess and unshakable character. They’re not just good at the core tasks—they also exhibit strong communication, take initiative to solve problems, and invest in helping the entire team succeed. Essentially, “A” Players bring a blend of expertise, work ethic, and integrity to every responsibility, and their ability to innovate and adapt pushes everyone around them to operate at a higher level.
Steve Jobs’ quote on “A “Players:
“I observed something fairly early on at Apple, which I didn’t know how to explain then, but I’ve thought a lot about it since. Most things in life have a dynamic range in which [the ratio of] “average” to “best” is at most 2:1. For example, if you go to New York City and get an average taxi cab driver, versus the best taxi cab driver, you’ll probably get to your destination with the best taxi driver 30% faster. And an automobile; what’s the difference between the average car and the best? Maybe 20%? The best CD player versus the average CD player? Maybe 20%? So 2:1 is a big dynamic range for most things in life. Now, in software, and it used to be the case in hardware, the difference between the average software developer and the best is 50:1; maybe even 100:1. Very few things in life are like this, but what I was lucky enough to spend my life doing, which is software, is like this. So I’ve built a lot of my success on finding these truly gifted people, and not settling for “B” and “C” players, but really going for the “A” players. And I found something… I found that when you get enough “A” players together, when you go through the incredible work to find these “A” players, they really like working with each other. Because most have never had the chance to do that before. And they don’t work with “B” and “C” players, so it’s self-policing. They only want to hire “A” players. So you build these pockets of “A” players and it just propagates.”
Why A Players Matter So Much
1. Exponential Productivity
In many disciplines—especially in technical or creative fields—the best performers aren’t just 20–30% better; they can be dozens of times more effective than their average counterparts. This isn’t just about raw skill; it’s about problem-solving speed, innovative thinking, and consistently high-quality output.
Example: A highly skilled coder not only writes clean, bug-free code but also anticipates potential pitfalls, mentors other developers, and delivers solutions faster. Their contributions go beyond their own tasks, elevating the entire team’s performance.
2. Positive Team Dynamics
A Players naturally raise the bar. They create an environment where excellence is expected, collaboration is second-nature, and accountability is embraced. This “peer pressure” in a positive sense forces everyone around them to level up their game.
Example: In a marketing project, one outstanding copywriter can set new standards for content strategy and audience engagement, inspiring designers, social media experts, and data analysts to bring their best ideas forward.
3. Self-Sustaining Culture
As Steve Jobs pointed out, A Players want to work with other A Players. They know they’ll learn more, build better products, and enjoy a more fulfilling collaborative process. Once you cultivate this culture, it begins to sustain itself, as top performers attract—and retain—other top performers.
Example: A star project manager who consistently delivers projects on time and budget will attract talented business analysts and subject matter experts who want to learn and contribute at the highest level.
Building Your Team of A Players
1. Craft Clear Job Roles and Expectations
A Players don’t thrive in ambiguity. They shine when given a clear vision and meaningful challenges. When you post job descriptions or assign project roles, be precise: outline the skills, outcomes, and growth opportunities.
- Tip: Describe not just the tasks but the broader impact of the role. A Players are often motivated by the “why” behind what they do.
2. Interview for Character as Much as Competence
Technical prowess is crucial, but soft skills, ethical grounding, and alignment with your project’s mission are equally vital. During interviews or internal team evaluations, explore real-life scenarios that reveal how the candidate handles conflict, teamwork, and adversity.
- Tip: Ask about a difficult conflict they’ve resolved or how they responded to failure. Their answers will provide insight into their resilience, integrity, and emotional intelligence.
3. Use Trials or Probation Periods
When possible, include a small project or test run that lets you see how a person performs under real conditions. This is a fantastic way to assess problem-solving skills, communication style, and fit with your team culture.
- Tip: For an IT project, consider a short code test or a pilot feature. For a marketing project, ask for a content strategy outline or concept pitch.
4. Offer Ongoing Development
A Players are lifelong learners. Provide them with the resources—training, mentorship programs, and challenging assignments—that allow them to continuously hone their craft.
- Tip: Encourage certifications, like a Project Management Professional (PMP) credential or relevant technical badges, to keep team members at the cutting edge of their fields.
How You Can Become an A Player
Whether you’re already on a project team or eyeing a future role, here are specific, detailed steps to set yourself apart as an A Player.
1. Master the Technical Fundamentals
No one becomes an A Player without a rock-solid grasp of their domain. Make sure your technical foundation is strong.
- Action Step: Identify the top skills for your role. This might mean learning a new programming language, mastering a project management tool, or gaining domain-specific expertise like Agile or Scrum. Dedicate regular, focused study time each week.
2. Sharpen Your Soft Skills
Being a team player with strong communication and leadership skills is non-negotiable. A Players add value not just by what they do individually but by elevating those around them.
- Action Step: Enroll in a communication or leadership course. Practice active listening in team meetings—paraphrase what others say, ask clarifying questions, and make sure everyone feels heard.
3. Exhibit Top-Notch Character
A Players are known for their integrity, reliability, and accountability. They own their mistakes, communicate openly, and maintain a high level of ethical behavior.
- Action Step: If you commit to a deadline, meet it—or, if obstacles arise, be proactive in addressing them. Document lessons learned, and share them openly so others can benefit from your experiences.
4. Adopt a Growth Mindset
Continuous improvement is part of the DNA of any high performer. Embrace challenges and view failures as learning opportunities.
- Action Step: At the end of each project sprint or task, run a quick self-assessment:
- What did I do well?
- Where can I improve?
- What new skills do I need to learn?
5. Be a Catalyst for Team Success
A Players don’t just optimize their own performance; they also encourage and empower their peers. Offer to help others when they’re stuck, share insights you’ve gleaned, and remain open to feedback—even when it’s hard to hear.
- Action Step: Commit to a weekly or bi-weekly knowledge-sharing session. If you learn a new technique or framework, present it briefly to your colleagues or teammates.
Understanding the Key Differences Between Manager vs. Leader
Diverse Examples of A Player Behaviors
- Software Developer:
- Technical: Writes efficient, well-documented code.
- Soft Skills: Contributes to code reviews with constructive feedback.
- Character: Confidently takes ownership of critical issues and works tirelessly to resolve them.
- Marketing Specialist:
- Technical: Leverages analytics to fine-tune campaigns and measure ROI.
- Soft Skills: Collaborates with designers, project managers, and copywriters to align on brand messaging.
- Character: Transparent in sharing campaign results, including underperforming areas, and proactively suggests improvements.
- Construction Project Engineer:
- Technical: Knows best practices for safety protocols and project scheduling software.
- Soft Skills: Communicates changes in scope clearly to stakeholders and foreman.
- Character: Maintains integrity under pressure by advocating for safe, high-quality work even if it means recalibrating timelines.
- Healthcare Project Coordinator:
- Technical: Ensures regulatory compliance and accurate tracking of medical supplies.
- Soft Skills: Coordinates effectively with doctors, nurses, and administrators, ensuring a seamless patient experience.
- Character: Displays empathy and compassion, goes above and beyond to address patient concerns promptly.
Unlock Your Indispensability By Asking “What Is My Responsibility?”
Final Thoughts: A Players as the Backbone of Exceptional Projects
When you invest in finding and nurturing A Players for your team, you create a domino effect of excellence. On the flip side, if you are a project team member, cultivating the mindset, skills, and character of an A Player will not only accelerate your career but also significantly contribute to your team’s success.
From Steve Jobs’ perspective, the stark difference in output between an average performer and a top performer in certain fields can be astronomical—sometimes 50:1 or even 100:1. By assembling a team of A Players or becoming one yourself, you tap into a level of performance that can transform your projects and propel your organization into new realms of possibility.
Ready to Level Up?
- As a Project Manager, challenge yourself to seek out genuine excellence when building your team.
- As a team member, focus on the steps above—technical mastery, soft skills, strong character, and a growth mindset—to continuously perform at your highest level.
In doing so, you’ll find that projects move faster, collaboration is smoother, and the end results are nothing short of extraordinary. The ripple effect of A Player teams extends beyond project metrics—it shapes a culture of excellence that resonates through every corner of your professional journey.
For those looking to accelerate their learning and growth, Master of Project Academy offers the most comprehensive PMP or CAPM course available online—delivering the knowledge, best practices, and real-world insights you need to become the ultimate A Player in project management. And if you’re serious about refining your Systems Thinking, interpersonal skills, and more, consider becoming a Sandbox Member to supercharge your continuous improvement journey—and your career.