Ten Qualities of an
Effective Team Player
If
you were choosing team members for a business team in your organization, who
would the best team players be? 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. (Also, check out How to Hire the Best Brains for the Best Team for
some tips on putting a team together.)
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.
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.
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.
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.
