The document discusses the roles of staff members in a team, emphasizing three main roles: individual contributor, manager, and strategist. It highlights how staff members, especially student leaders, should navigate these roles to ensure effective teamwork and leadership. The document also compares the dynamics of small and large staff teams, pointing out the strengths and weaknesses of each configuration.

1. YOUR ROLE
Logan Aimone, MJE //
University High School, University of Chicago Laboratory Schools
ON STAFF
FINDING

2. FINDING YOUR ROLE ON STAFF
One of the biggest
challenges staff
members face is
knowing their role.

3. FINDING YOUR ROLE ON STAFF
In particular, student
leaders can struggle
with the transition from
member to leader.

4. FINDING YOUR ROLE ON STAFF
The key is
understanding that
every person has three
roles they play.

5. FINDING YOUR ROLE ON STAFF
They play these roles
in varying portions
depending on the
circumstances.

6. FINDING YOUR ROLE ON STAFF
ROLES
ON STAFF
3

7. FINDING YOUR ROLE ON STAFF
INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTOR
•This is the role for doing the work of the team.
For news organizations, this is the writing,
photography, editing, coaching, design, ad sales.
•Everyone is always an individual contributor
— at least a little bit and maybe a lot.
•Some staff roles are mostly individual
contributors: reporters, photographers, ad reps
•Leaders contribute as mentors/trainers.

8. FINDING YOUR ROLE ON STAFF
MANAGER
•This role manages the work of the team. This
generally means ensuring tasks get done,
though it’s not just telling others what to do.
• Managing means helping contributors to get
their work done. Anticipate, avoid, solve problems.
•People can be individual contributors and managers.
•Section editors will generally be managers, and
top editors will also spend a lot of time managing.

9. FINDING YOUR ROLE ON STAFF
STRATEGIST
•In this role, a person develops a strategy or vision
for the team.
• Section editors may envision growth in the
section or new ideas for coverage.
•Top editors determine where the team is headed.
They may innovate, explore new platforms,
develop policies, and establish multi-issue or
yearlong goals.

10. FINDING YOUR ROLE ON STAFF
What’s the right mix
for people
on your staff?

11. FINDING YOUR ROLE ON STAFF
SMALL STAFF
•Reporters and editors may all have to be
individual contributors.
•Mostly generalists; few specialists.
•Positive: Lots of overlap in tasks, close
relationships, possible synergy, easy to enact
change
•Negative: Less chance for strategy because
leaders’ time is spent on individual contributions

12. FINDING YOUR ROLE ON STAFF
LARGE STAFF
•Inexperienced staffers focus on their contribution;
veteran staffers move into strategic roles
•Positive: Skills get developed, people can get in a
role that suits them (by training or talent)
•Negative: People can get stuck in a role with little
chance for movement

13. FINDING YOUR ROLE ON STAFF
REPORTER
5%
10%
85%
Individual Manager Strategist

14. FINDING YOUR ROLE ON STAFF
MANAGER
15%
35%
50%
Individual Manager Strategist

15. FINDING YOUR ROLE ON STAFF
STRATEGIST
30%
40%
30%
Individual Manager Strategist

16. FINDING YOUR ROLE ON STAFF
THINK
ABOUT

17. FINDING YOUR ROLE ON STAFF
What are some ways
to ensure each staff
position has clear
expectations?

18. FINDING YOUR ROLE ON STAFF
How can each position
have each of the three
roles built in?

19. QUESTIONS?Logan Aimone, MJE //
logan.aimone@gmail.com // @loganaimone