The difference betwen good and Great team members

A great team member is excellent all the time. Even when they can not get something done, an "A" member goes and gets a A+ person to do the job. They are self motivated and play a win-win game.

A "B" team member, plays a zero sum game. For them to win, others (including their team members have to loose). A "B" member, goes and gets you a C person on the team, because that makes them win. They may be good, but they are never great without a carrot or a stick. They are the type of person that go to a fire place and say: "You give me heat, and then I give you energy." The hole is always in someone else's side of the life raft.

The best thing you can do to a B person, is fire them and tell them to think about it. Otherwise, it is always somebody else's fault (visitors in town!), always another excuse (My dog died!), always another subtle demand (oh you are not funded yet!) -- basically sucking the energy out of life and others' accomplishments, by being... well, an idiot. Studies show that the biggest problem in organizations is not lack of pay, hard work, odd hours, or even politics. It is incompetent colleagues.

An A+ member on the other hand energizes the room. Not because they are always positive or fake (another characteristics of a C member), but because they bring so much to the table. They may not be able to do a job, but they want to do it when nobody steps forward. They show courage, willingness, and they demand better of themselves and those around them. The best way to treat them is challenge them with valuable tasks, and leave them alone, and move them up the ladder.