The No Asshole Rule
Problem scenario: you find yourself on a team of folks where there are one or more "assholes" who make life miserable for everyone. "Making life miserable" can mean any one of a number of things: (1) backstabbing, (2) dishonesty, (3) going "rogue" rather than acting as a productive team member, etc. You get the idea – we've all been there before. So, what do you do about it?
The short answer is "don't get into that situation in the first place." In most instances (at least those from my world), you have the opportunity to choose the people you'll work with. Most often, this situation arises when you are assembling a team of folks for a multi-institution or multi-group proposal. If you are assembling the team, think carefully about who you ask to be on the team. If you are being asked to be on the team, take time to carefully evaluate others on the team to decide for yourself if you believe it to be a wise choice.
One of the most successful teams I've ever had the privelige of working with was the SciDAC Visualization and Analytics Center for Enabling Technology (VACET). We used this rule during team formation, and it paid off handsomely. In any endeavor involving lots of people, there will be disputes, disagreements, etc. It is much easier to solve these inevitable social problems when there are "no assholes" on the team to contend with. After all, you are entrusting these folks with your professional and/or personal reputation – think carefully before you make your decision.
Naturally, you can't always choose whom you work with, nor can you always foresee that a team member will "go bad" on you somewhere down the line.
April 13, 2009, Berkeley CA