None of the teams created in Naruto were happy blended families from the start, still, it isn't hard to recognize that Team 7 had a special type of disfunction right away. With its members made up of a vengeful brooding loner, a shunned troublemaker, and an ill-tempered immature schoolgirl, Team 7 didn't represent any kind of threat to their peers. They eventually formed a strong bond which is mostly credited to Naruto Uzumaki's unrelenting loyalty to his comrades and Sasuke Uchiha's inability to deny a kinship between himself and his rival.
In fact, Sakura Haruno's obsession with Sasuke and habit of ridiculing Naruto worked in direct opposition to Team 7's goal of forming a healthy relationship. Unlike her rival, Ino Yamanaka's self-assertion and demand for respect did not come at Shikamaru Nara and Choji Akimichi's expense. While Ino wasn't perfect —and the thought of separating the iconic "Ino-Shika-Cho" generational trio is unthinkable— her ability to refrain from harassing her teammates and offer consistent encouragement are qualities Team 7 could've benefited from.
10 She was very mature from an Early age
Ino, like many of the other girls in Konoha, had a crush on Sasuke and wasn't shy about expressing it. Still, Ino didn't allow her crush to cloud her judgement and lash out at her teammates. Sakura's infatuation with Sasuke directly translated to disdain for Naruto. So much so that Ino felt the need to advise her during the Chunin Exams.
Before Sasuke's match, Sakura was growing impatient waiting for him, at which point Ino suggested she cheer for Naruto in the meantime. Ino made sure to give her comrades support anytime she believed they needed it. Naruto already had to overcome the doubt of the entire village, it's obvious that he would've benefited from this type of encouragement from his teammate.
9 She had great Respect For her Teammates
Ino wasn't shy about trying to assert dominance over her teammates (Shikamaru and Choji) when she was placed in Team 10. Initially, Ino was very critical of Shikamaru and Choji. This didn't last long, soon her judgements turned to constructive criticism for the sole purpose of wanting to have a strong team.
She cheers for them with enthusiasm during the Chunin Exams and offers her support in every battle. Ino does all of this without berating or ridiculing them. Sakura was incapable of praising Sasuke without undermining Naruto. As a member of Team 7, Ino would've caused less friction within her team.
8 She Inherited the Kekkai Genkai
Ino's family possesses special mind-related techniques that allow them to take control of their target (or multiple targets), force their opponents to attack each other, read minds, and communicate telepathically. The catalyst that caused devastation amongst Team 7 was Sasuke's decision to leave. Looking for Sasuke and bringing him home became Naruto's most sacred goal, besides becoming Hokage.
The time he spent searching for Sasuke could've been shortened with Ino's abilities. Ino can locate individuals by sensing their chakra, if she were a part of Team 7, Ino would've made it easier to locate Sasuke. Furthermore, while Sasuke is one of the strongest characters in the series, Ino's Mind Body Switch Technique could've been extremely useful during many encounters. If Ino used her technique to seize control of Sasuke's body, this would've given an opportunity for Naruto or Kakashi Hatake to take advantage of his immobilization and possibly bring him home.
7 She is able to Move On From Her Crush On Sasuke
Ino illustrates her maturity in many ways throughout her training. One of the most prominent signs of sophistication is the relinquishment of her affection for Sasuke. Sakura often let her feelings for Sasuke cloud her judgement.
As time passes, Ino doesn't speak about her desire to be recognized by Sasuke anymore, she is more interested in her growth as a shinobi and the growth of her team. She becomes more confident in her abilities and even shows interest in someone new: Sai. There is no doubt that this change in desire and dedication to succeed would advance Team 7's collaboration.
6 She Isn't Paralyzed By Romantic Feelings
After Sai was captured along with Shikamaru by Gengo, Ino accompanied Choji, Temari, and Sakura on a rescue mission. There she discovers Sai is trapped in a genjutsu and they engage in battle as he tries to convince her that he believes friends are useless. As they continue to fight, Ino proclaims that he is a precious friend to her and she will never give up on him.
Whenever Sakura encountered Sasuke on his quest for revenge, she was barely able to speak, let alone use her fighting skills to convince him to come home. Ino put herself at risk by using her Mind Transmission Jutsu to take over his mind. She saved him from a place of loneliness. Naruto carried the burden of bringing Sasuke home on his own, Ino's resilience could've helped him.
5 She values Support & Loyalty
Ino is extremely supportive of her comrades Shikamaru and Choji. She rallies for them in times of distress and in the heat of battle, they are able to rely on her, even if that means helping from a distance in order to refrain from being a hindrance to her team. She extends that support to Naruto.
After the battle against Kakazu and Hidan while Ino healed him, she expressed her admiration of Naruto's intelligence and skill. Later on, during the 4th Shinobi War, she asserts that Naruto's proclaimed victory will come to fruition.
4 She's Sentimental & Cares Deeply About Her Friendships
When Ino's team came across Sakura being attacked in the forest, a young Team 10 froze initially, not knowing how to approach the situation. Choji wanted to run away after witnessing the strength of the sound ninja and Shikamaru asked Ino what she thought. Ino recalled how Sakura ended their friendship, she also thought about how their friendship began. Ino befriended Sakura and encouraged her to be confident after she found her crying because she was being bullied about her appearance.
Even though she was terrified and trembling, and they were no longer friends, once again Ino couldn't stand seeing Sakura getting hurt. With her concern for Sasuke's well being when he is brought up in discussion, and her support of teammates Shikamaru and Choji, this admirable trait is exemplified several times.
3 She Assumes Responsibility
Ino takes on a form of leadership during times of distress. When Pain attacks Konoha she finds her father and works with her clan to find where Pain is located. It was her perceptiveness that uncovered the fact that Pain's real body was near the village. Her kekkei genkai is extremely useful, and grants any alliance she is a part of a great advantage.
Thus, she constantly pushes herself past her limitations to ensure victory for her team. During the Fourth Great Ninja War, Shikamaru needed Ino's help to teach a wide range of people a deflection technique through her telekinesis, when Shikamaru asked if she could, she stated it didn't matter whether she could or she couldn't; she was going to.
2 She Controls Her Emotions In Crisis
Ino has lost two significant people in her life during battle. She lost her mentor Asuma Sarutobi and later lost her father Inoichi Yamanaka. While Sakura lets her emotions take hold of her at extremely inopportune times, and allows her feelings to render her incapable to act, Ino excels in times of distress.
Her father was killed during the Fourth Great Ninja War, and she couldn't take any time to grieve or react because the war wasn't over and she needed to take over for her father. She was able to put the needs of her comrades above her own grief.
1 She Acknowledges Naruto As a Strong Ninja & Understands Who He Is
Since the beginning of their training, Ino respected Naruto and acknowledged him as a strong ninja, while Sakura had no problem ridiculing him. Though Sakura found herself being reliant on him, she still never managed to give him the respect he deserved. During Naruto's fight with Neji, Ino recognized his strength and was impressed with his skill.
Later, during the final war, Naruto is able to cloak Shikarmaru when his chakra is depleted. Ino's kekkei genkai allows her to sense that this is happening because Naruto has a strong desire to protect his friends. Naruto felt lonely most of his life, having a teammate that could see inside his subconscious and empathize with him on an intimate level could've alleviated some of his distress.