I have a lazy co-worker who does not contribute equally. Any advice on how to deal with this?

There are all kinds of members on a team and some of them do not appear to put their weight when it comes to the routine work, leaving the boring mundane stuff to others. Some times this is by design. If your co worker feels he is the brains of the team then his job is come up with ideas and problem solutions and it up to the rest of the team to do the rest. Management is not always fair in the division of work when it comes to this situation. As long as the work is getting done and the team is making progress they are happy. Most often the idea man is not really that smart, just a favorite of management so he is like the teachers pet, often getting promoted over those who contribute much more to the over all operation. I would like to caution you to be careful in the way you approach this situation. If the idea man is a favorite or is highly valued by management then any attempt to say he is not pulling his weight may backfire. Once way to bring some focus on the situation is to not pick up after him. If you are given individual assignments then just do your own. Take your time so that you complete your work in the time a lotted and do not appear to be sitting around, so if all the tasks are not completed you have your assignments done. If they are team assignments have the team divide the work so the idea man gets his share. If everyone works at a reasonable pace there will be little time left to help the idea man, and it will be very apparent who did not get their work done. Also you should try a little harder to come up with ideas. Unfortunately, it is usually not the steady hard worker is most valued in a team, but those with leadership and creativity. Try to develop your own leadership and creativity skills, usually I find that most idea guys listen and watch the group and then package their ideas as their own, so it is not as hard as it may seem. The fact that you are seeing that the work gets done shows leadership, just bump it up a notch. Not so much in confronting the idea man, but drawing attention to his lack of production, and your stepping up to fill the gap. Also learn from him from him and add to his ideas. If suggests something try adding a little something to his idea so it takes the spotlight off him a little. Think of it as a game to see if you can move into his territory. He will probably change his ways if he feels a little heat of competition, without the risk of you being the bad guy. Good luck The PracticaL Mentor