Cognitive Ability and Personality Can Predict Team Productivity but Not Team Synergy

Our goal with this study was to evaluate individual characteristics that would be potentially predictive of team success. We examined the Big Five factors of agreeableness and conscientiousness, general cognitive ability, and teamwork aptitude. The Big Five factors and general cognitive ability predicted team productivity but not synergy or satisfaction. Despite a burgeoning literature on teams and teamwork, scholars have not yet thoroughly examined the selection of individuals for forming teams. (McClough & Rogelberg, 2003). To form an effective team, we believe it is critical to identify individuals ’ aptitudes that improve team performance, and determine how to apply those aptitudes to select team members. In this study, we focused on general cognitive ability, the specific cognitive ability of teamwork aptitude, and personality as predictors of team effectiveness as represented by unit (team) level productivity an