Ten
Qualities of an
Effective Team Player
Adapted from
“Managing Teams For Dummies”
If you had
the opportunity to start a new team and select anyone from your organization to
be on it, who would you pick? Assuming that people have the right technical
skills for the work to be done, what other factors would you use to select your
team members? Teams need strong team players to perform well. But what defines
such people? Read on.
Demonstrates
reliability You can
count on a reliable team member who gets work done and does his fair share to
work hard and meet commitments. He or she follows through on assignments.
Consistency is key. You can count on him or her to deliver good performance all
the time, not just some of the time.
Communicates
constructively
Teams need people who speak up and express their thoughts and ideas clearly,
directly, honestly, and with respect for others and for the work of the team.
That's what it means to communicate constructively. Such a team member does not
shy away from making a point but makes it in the best way possible - in a
positive, confident, and respectful manner.
Listens
actively Good
listeners are essential for teams to function effectively. Teams need team
players who can absorb, understand, and consider ideas and points of view from
other people without debating and arguing every point. Such a team member also
can receive criticism without reacting defensively. Most important, for
effective communication and problem solving, team members need the discipline to
listen first and speak second so that meaningful dialogue results.
Functions as
an active participant
Good team players are active participants. They come prepared for team meetings
and listen and speak up in discussions. They're fully engaged in the work of the
team and do not sit passively on the sidelines. Team members who function as
active participants take the initiative to help make things happen, and they
volunteer for assignments. Their whole approach is can-do: “What contribution
can
I
make to help the team achieve success?”
Shares openly
and willingly Good
team players share. They're willing to share information, knowledge, and
experience. They take the initiative to keep other team members informed. Much
of the communication within teams takes place informally. Beyond discussion at
organized meetings, team members need to feel comfortable talking with one
another and passing along important news and information day-to-day. Good team
players are active in this informal sharing. They keep other team members in the
loop with information and expertise that helps get the job done and prevents
surprises.
Cooperates and
pitches in to help
Cooperation is the act of working
with
others and acting together
to accomplish a job. Effective team players work this way by second nature. Good
team players, despite differences they may have with other team members
concerning style and perspective, figure out ways to work together to solve
problems and get work done. They respond to requests for assistance and take the
initiative to offer help.
Exhibits
flexibility Teams
often deal with changing conditions — and often create changes themselves. Good
team players roll with the punches; they adapt to ever-changing situations. They
don't complain or get stressed out because something new is being tried or some
new direction is being set. In addition, a flexible team member can consider
different points of views and compromise when needed. He or she doesn't hold
rigidly to a point of view and argue it to death, especially when the team needs
to move forward to make a decision or get something done. Strong team players
are firm in their thoughts yet open to what others have to offer — flexibility
at its best.
Works as a
problem-solver
Teams, of course, deal with problems. Sometimes, it appears, that's the whole
reason why a team is created — to address problems. Good team players are
willing to deal with all kinds of problems in a solutions-oriented manner.
They're problem-solvers, not problem-dwellers, problem-blamers, or
problem-avoiders. They don't simply rehash a problem the way problem-dwellers
do. They don't look for others to fault, as the blamers do. And they don't put
off dealing with issues, the way avoiders do. Team players get problems out in
the open for discussion and then collaborate with others to find solutions and
form action plans.
Treats others
in a respectful and supportive manner
Team players treat fellow team members with courtesy and consideration — not
just some of the time but consistently. In addition, they show understanding and
the appropriate support of other team members to help get the job done. They
don't place conditions on when they'll provide assistance, when they'll choose
to listen, and when they'll share information. Good team players also have a
sense of humor and know how to have fun (and all teams can use a bit of both),
but they don't have fun at someone else's expense. Quite simply, effective team
players deal with other people in a professional manner.
Shows
commitment to the team
Strong team players care about their work, the team, and the team's work. They
show up every day with this care and commitment up front. They want to give a
good effort, and they want other team members to do the same.
Team players who show commitment
don't come in any particular style or personality. They don't need to be
rah-rah, cheerleader types. In fact, they may even be soft-spoken, but they
aren't passive. They care about what the team is doing and they contribute to
its success — without needing a push.
Team players with commitment look
beyond their own piece of the work and care about the team's overall work. In
the end, their commitment is about winning — not in the sports sense of beating
your opponent but about seeing the team succeed and knowing they have
contributed to this success. Winning as a team is one of the great motivators of
employee performance. Good team players have and show this motivation.
