All of the success I’ve achieved professionally can be traced back to the hard work I’ve put into each situation and the people I’ve chosen to surround myself with. Was I lucky? Sure—but luck is often proportional to the effort invested.

It’s amazing how the harder I work, the luckier I get.

But even hard work won’t bear fruit if you don’t have good people in your world. Looking at my work history, I can point to individuals who have been catalysts for success. I’d like to think I’ve played that role for others too.

Recently, an article in The Wall Street Journal put a name to those people: glue employees. Author Heidi Mitchell interviewed behavioral scientist Jon Levy about these “glue players”—the team members who hold everything together, often without seeking recognition for their efforts.

What is a glue player?

This concept resonates with me, both in my current role and in past experiences. Looking back, I can name key people on my teams or among my leaders who kept the business focused, anticipated roadblocks, and paid particular attention to helping those around them succeed.

Levy explains the traits of a glue players in business:

“A glue player is the team member who multiplies everyone else’s results, helping the team win. They have unusually high emotional intelligence and know how to move the group forward. They anticipate needs, take actions no one asked them to, and help teammates perform at their best—often without seeking recognition. They put the team above themselves and don’t fight for credit because their priority is progress, not attention.”

This description could serve as the foundation for a job profile on nearly every team I’ve been part of. Successful operations—from sales to marketing to IT and everything in between—need individuals like this.

Great leaders must assess their teams, identify people with these traits, and reward them. Without glue players, it’s hard for teams to achieve and sustain success.

Traits of a Glue Player

In sports, analysts talk about intangibles—the hard-to-define qualities that make a team successful. Leaders should invest time in identifying these traits within their teams.

Levy suggests asking: 

1. Who helped you the most?
2. Who watches out for you?
3. Who ensures the team functions smoothly?
4. Who creates space for quieter voices and prevents narcissists from dominating?

The answers will likely point to your glue players.

When it comes to annual reviews and promotions, these traits aren’t always valued by corporations. Leaders need to be intentional about recognizing and rewarding these critical contributors.

Levy notes:  “Glue players may not hold the biggest titles, but they keep everything moving.”

It might sound cliché—cue Bette Midler’s Wind Beneath My Wings—but glue players often elevate the big-ego performers so they can shine. “Think of the engineer who mentors junior colleagues and ensures their contributions are recognized,” observes Levy.

Watch Out for Anti-Glue Players

If glue players hold teams together, anti-glue players do the opposite. They’re easier to spot. Common traits include:

1. Low emotional intelligence
2. A focus on building their own kingdom rather than the team or business
3. A lack of praise and appreciation for peers

If you suspect you’re an anti-glue player, there’s hope! Self-awareness is the first step toward improving emotional intelligence. Time and experience help too.

Looking back on my own career, I see a direct correlation between my emotional intelligence and my years of experience. As EQ and maturity grow, you realize success comes from surrounding yourself with greatness. As a leader, you get credit for the team’s work—they’re your ally in achieving recognition and results. For your team to excel, everyone must give maximum effort and leverage their skills. So invest in them with praise, encouragement, and mentorship.

Finding and Inspiring Glue Players in Business

I try not to lean too heavily on sports analogies, but sometimes it’s hard to resist. While discussing glue players, someone sent me a clip about an Ohio State football player.

As a Buckeyes fan, I was intrigued. The subject was Nolan Baudo—a junior walk-on wide receiver with zero career catches. Yet 47% of the team voted him as the person they most enjoy being around. His story, featured by Columbus’s NBC affiliate, is inspiring—not just for football fans, but for anyone who values the power of connection and leadership behind the scenes.