<p>Comment on David McCreight's <a href="/topic/comment/100207/4313990/653288">post</a>: Well said. Cross-training and open input are two of the strongest signals that a team is actually functioning as a team &#8212; not just a group of people doing parallel tasks. I also appreciate your point about solid performers being the backbone of a department. They may not always seek the spotlight, but they often carry the institutional knowledge and consistency that keep everything running. A wise leader recognizes that both stars and steady contributors have essential roles to play &#8212; and invests in both.</p>