Long ago, my brother and I shared a room, and we’d stay up late into the night, talking until sleep finally won. One night, we got on the topic of friend groups — how every group we’d ever been part of seemed to include the same types of people. Certain roles just kept showing up, no matter where we lived or who we hung out with.
Fast forward a few decades, and I still find myself thinking about that conversation. As it turns out, we might’ve stumbled onto something. These roles — which we first noticed as kids — keep showing up not just in friend groups, but in high-functioning teams, creative collaborations, and even game parties. We weren’t naming personalities — we were identifying functions.
So I thought I’d finally share them with the wider world. Not because they’re exhaustive (for that, look into Jungian archetypes), but because they might just be the most essential.
Over time, I started to think of these roles not just as social quirks, but as essential functions — the kind that keep groups balanced, moving, and connected. I eventually gave them names:
- The Joker – the one who lightens the mood
- The Leader – the one who steps up and guides
- The Scout – the one who looks ahead
- The Planner – the one who keeps things running
- The Executor – the one who gets it done
You’ve probably met each of them. Maybe you’ve been each of them.
The Joker
Remind the group not to take life too seriously and open the door to connection through laughter. Humor can heal, but it can also hide.
The Joker, believe it or not, is usually the foundation for forming a team. Without a Joker, a group can end up taking itself too seriously — and in the absence of levity, it’s easy to lose perspective, creativity, or even morale.
The Joker is the one who makes space for connection. They’re quick with a joke, a well-timed meme, or just the right amount of irreverence to ease tension. But they’re not just comic relief — the Joker carries a subtle power: the ability to shift the emotional temperature of the group. In high-stress situations, that’s everything.
At their best, they remind the team that they’re human — that it’s okay to laugh, to breathe, to play. But there’s a shadow side, too. Humor can become a mask — a way to avoid vulnerability, feedback, or uncomfortable truths.
The Scout
Venture beyond the known. Discovery requires risk, and the path isn’t always marked
Where the Joker builds connection, the Scout brings motion. They’re the ones scanning the horizon, picking up on subtle shifts, and asking, “What’s next?” Every team needs someone with their eyes a little further ahead — not because they’re trying to leave the group behind, but because they’re already thinking about where things are going.
The Scout is often curious, restless, and deeply attuned to patterns others miss. They’re the ones suggesting new tools, new directions, or new risks. In friend groups, they might be the one who finds the hidden café or underground show. In teams, they’re the ones nudging the conversation toward what’s emerging.
But there’s a flipside. Left unchecked, the Scout can feel ungrounded or disconnected. They might chase the new at the expense of the now — or detach entirely if they feel the group is too slow or too rigid. When that happens, their gift becomes a liability.
The Executor
Act when others hesitate. Courage is found in motion, but don’t mistake speed for progress.
Every group needs someone who simply says, “I’ve got it.” That’s the Executor. While others plan, discuss, or hesitate, the Executor moves. They thrive in action — whether it’s lifting the heavy thing, hitting the deploy button, or taking the first scary step forward. They’re the force that turns ideas into momentum.
They often lead by example, not by position. Their courage isn’t loud — it’s in the doing. In friend groups, they’re the ones who make the call, book the trip, or jump in when something needs fixing. In teams, they’re the closers — the ones who bring things across the finish line.
But with that fire comes with risk. The Executor can burn out fast, especially if others start relying on them too much. Worse, they might act before the group is ready, unintentionally sidelining collaboration in their rush to solve.
The Planner
Charts the map others will follow. Sometimes the best moments are the ones we didn’t schedule.
The Planner is the one quietly holding the map — and probably a backup. They’re not always the loudest in the room, but their presence keeps the group grounded. While others might focus on vision, humor, or action, the Planner is watching the clock, tracking dependencies, and asking the important question: “Are we actually ready for this?”
They bring rhythm and structure — not to control the group, but to support it. In friend groups, they’re the ones booking reservations, organizing rides, or reminding everyone of the curfew. In teams, they’re often behind the timelines, coordination, and invisible scaffolding that holds everything together.
But their strength, like any role, can tip too far. Overplanning can become rigidity. In a world full of moving parts, trying to lock down every variable can lead to anxiety — or resistance to the unexpected.
The Leader
Stands firm in uncertainty, the steady voice in the storm. True leaders elevate others, not just themselves.
Some people step forward when no one else will — not out of ego, but out of instinct. That’s the Leader. They’re the one others turn to in moments of uncertainty, the one holding the big picture while still keeping an eye on the group.
A strong Leader doesn’t need to bark orders or dominate a room. More often, they’re quietly listening, synthesizing, and nudging things forward. In friend groups, they might be the default decision-maker or the one resolving conflicts. In teams, they hold space for direction, clarity, and momentum — especially when the stakes get high.
But leadership isn’t without danger. When it tips into control, the group can lose its autonomy. When it lacks self-awareness, the Leader can stop elevating others and start serving only their own sense of importance.
These five roles — The Joker, The Scout, The Executor, The Planner, and The Leader — aren’t static labels. They’re dynamic energies that flow through every group, every project, every friendship. You’ve likely played more than one of them, depending on the moment, the people, or the need.
What started as a late-night conversation between two brothers has grown into a lens I now use to understand teams, relationships, and group dynamics. It’s not about boxing people in, though — it’s about recognizing the roles that make a group thrive.
So the next time you find yourself in a team, a game, or a hangout, ask yourself:
Which roles are showing up? Which ones are missing? And who might be carrying more than their share?
Maybe you’re the Joker. Maybe you’re the Scout.
Maybe you’re all five — or maybe you’re building a team that can hold them all.