Stop Protecting the Wrong People on Your Team

Adam Kreek

We’ve all worked with that person: brilliant at their job, but a drain on the team’s energy.
High-competence, low-culture.

These individuals can be the hardest to deal with because, on paper, they deliver. In reality, they poison the system. Their presence slowly erodes trust, morale, and collaboration. Left unchecked, they can do more damage than someone with lower skills but higher alignment with the culture.

Succession planning, internal development, even dismissals stop being political games and start becoming strategic decisions when you use this framework. Without systems for picking people, you’re just hoping your “leadership gut” is smarter than your actual gut… and my gut mostly wants nachos.

Here’s the tool I use to cut through the fog: The Culture-Competence Grid.

How it Works

Rank each team member on two dimensions (1–9):
- Cultural fit (values, behaviour, alignment with organizational norms)
- Competence (skills, results, ability to execute in their role)
Place them on a 3x3 grid. You’ll start to see clusters.
Ask yourself:
- Do I coach this person up—or coach them out?
- Is this person in the right role?
- Where do I see them long term?
Prioritize the “green zone.” These are your High-Performance Catalysts—people who raise the bar and model the culture you want. Recognize them. Elevate them. Protect them.
Turn your attention to the bottom 1–3 people. Start improvement plans—or start succession planning. Action beats avoidance.

Why this Matters

Skills can be coached. Character and values are far harder to shift.
Retention risk is real. Your best cultural fits will leave if toxic energy drains remain unchecked.
Leaders set the tone. What you tolerate defines your culture more than what you say.

Succession planning, internal development, even dismissals all become clearer when you use this framework. It takes the “gut feel” out of talent management and gives you a simple, visual way to act.

And remember—your best people deserve a team worth staying for.

Strong organizations don’t just hire talent. They curate culture.

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Adam Kreek is on a mission to positively impact organizational cultures and leaders who make things happen.

Kreek is an Executive Business Coach who lives in Victoria, BC, near Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and Seattle, Washington, USA, in the Pacific Northwest. He works with clients globally, often travelling to California in the San Francisco Bay Area, Atlanta, Georgia, Toronto, Ontario and Montreal, Quebec. He is an Olympic Gold Medalist, a storied adventurer and a father.

He authored the bestselling business book, The Responsibility Ethic: 12 Strategies Exceptional People Use to Do the Work and Make Success Happen.

Discover our thoughts on Values here.

Want to increase your leadership achievement? Learn more about Kreek’s coaching here.

Want to book a keynote that leaves a lasting impact? Learn more about Kreek’s live event service here.

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