Who Holds the Team Together? The Hidden Work of Glue Employees

Who Holds the Team Together? The Hidden Work of Glue Employees

When: January 20, 2027

Location: Live online

Host: Justice Clearinghouse

Delivery: online

Every high-functioning team has people who make everything run smoother, even though it’s not in their job description. They’re the ones who check on the new hire after a hard call, smooth over conflict before it escalates, and notice when a colleague is struggling before anyone else does. Behavioral scientist Jon Levy calls them “glue players”: team members who multiply everyone else’s effectiveness, often without recognition or reward. In high-stress, trauma-exposed fields like criminal justice, this kind of relational labor isn’t a nice-to-have; it’s part of what keeps teams resilient and