“Team player” is probably one of the biggest buzzwords in HR and recruiting. In nine out of 10 job descriptions, you will find the requirement of being a team player. Managers want to have true team players in their team. Strong teammate skills are used in performance reviews. But, what does being a team player really mean? Yes, a team player performs well in a team, but if we break that down, what does it really consist of?
A good team player communicates constructively.
Great teammates are not afraid to express their opinion and ideas but always do so with respect and in a positive, confident manner.
A good teammate is transparent and shares openly.
Good teammates share the information, knowledge, and experience they have and take the initiative to keep the rest of the team informed. They don’t keep important information to themselves just so they can individually progress. And they don’t consider information as power and therefore keep it to them.
A good teammate is always ready to help.
Collaborating is working with the rest of the team to achieve a job. Good team players collaborate by nature. They might have different opinions or different ways of working than the rest of the team, but they will find a way to overcome these differences and work together. Good teammates offer help when they see somebody needs it and always respond to requests for support.
A good teammate is flexible.
Teams always have to deal with change, a good teammate can deal with constant change and finds new ways of working together. A flexible team member can evaluate different opinions and compromise when needed. A good team member doesn’t stick solely to their own point of view, especially when the team needs to get a job done.
A good team member doesn’t compete with their team.
A strong teammate doesn’t see a limited outcome where if one team member performs well it automatically means the other team member does not. A good team member considers the pie as unlimited and knows that one´s success doesn’t mean another´s failure. This individual knows that there is enough for everyone and that by collaborating ultimately everybody wins and achieves more.
A good team member doesn’t have a secret agenda.
A strong team member works for a common agenda and does not have an individual, hidden agenda. This individual works for the common goal and is not led by their own interests.
A good teammate supports others.
Great teammates show the appropriate support to other team members to help them get the job done. They offer unconditional assistance, will listen and share their knowledge, and are always ready to provide support as needed. Moreover, they care about how the team is doing and want to contribute to its success.
A good teammate is reliable.
A great team member delivers what they promise to deliver and doesn´t slack out. This individual keeps their word to get their work done and follows through on their tasks. He or she consistently delivers the optimal results.
A good teammate is an active team member.
Great teammates make sure they are prepared for meetings and are fully engaged in the team’s work. They don’t piggyback off the work of other team members and actively make their contributions.
A good teammate is a good listener.
Great teammates listen actively and consider and understand different points of view in the team. They listen before speaking and listen without judging or criticizing.
Are You a Team Player?
5 Tips to Become an Invaluable Team Member
1. Learn the ins and outs of your job
To become an invaluable team member, you first need to know how to perform your job correctly. This requires you to engage in training. You can enroll in online classes or workshops. Or, you can sign up for college or university coursework. With each class you complete, you can build your skillset. Over time, you can gain the skills you need to become a vital contributor to your team.
2. Maintain a positive attitude
Do not shy away from challenges that come your way. Rather, embrace each challenge as a learning opportunity. If you make a mistake as you try to get better at your job, learn from it. Ultimately, your actions can inspire and motivate your team. This can lead other team members to look up to you as you and your teammates work together to achieve common goals.
3. Listen to others
Ask for feedback from coworkers and superiors. Each piece of feedback can help enhance your strengths and minimize your weaknesses. Plus, your willingness to incorporate feedback into your daily work shows others how much you care about your job. The result: managers and others may increasingly rely on you to contribute to your team’s success.
4. Foster relationships with teammates
Make an effort to engage with your peers and learn about them. This helps you foster relationships that can lead to greater productivity and efficiency across your team. As you become more comfortable with teammates, you can feel more confident in working with them. Meanwhile, your teammates can become more comfortable and confident working with you, too.
5. Strive for ongoing improvement
Do not expect to become an invaluable teammate overnight. Conversely, remain committed to doing everything in your power to continuously get better as a team player. If you are dedicated to excellence, you have unlimited potential as a teammate. And once you become the team member you know you can be, you can help your team achieve outstanding results.
What Other Qualities Make You a Good Team Player?
Along with the aforementioned qualities that can make you a good teammate, there are many others to consider as well. These include:
- Respectful: The best teammates show respect for themselves and others in all that they do.
- Responsible: As a great team player, you’re responsible to your teammates, to the point where you always strive to perform your best.
- Accountable: When you’re an amazing team member, you always hold yourself accountable for accomplishing the best results, on schedule and on budget.
If you want to be a great team player, it pays to work hard at it. And if you want to join a terrific team, BOS Staffing can help.
We can put you in touch with top employers that prioritize teamwork. For more information, get in touch with us today.
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