How to Be a Strong Team Player

Strong team players are vital for successful projects.

Whether it's playing a sport or working in the business world, a strong team player displays certain desirable characteristics, which marks him as effective, trustworthy and reliable. While ineffective members of a team may create extraneous arguments or not properly listen to other team members, a strong team player recognizes his own strengths accurately and appreciates them in context with the abilities of his peers. Becoming a strong team player doesn't require that you know everything, but simply that you have an effective frame of mind.

Instructions

1. Appreciate natural conflict as healthy. While some arguments can be personal and not constructive, occasional conflict is vital for a team to make accurate and valid decisions. Therefore, if you disagree with an idea, always present your point in a calm but informative way. After appropriate discussion, if the team decides not to accept your point, don't take it personally or let it affect your behavior.

2. Practice objectivity. Appreciate the value each member of the group brings to the team. Listen to their ideas in the same manner that you want them to listen to yours. This shows respect, and helps you see your own ideas in a less egocentric way. Be prepared to change your mind if somebody makes an important point, as this shows control and professionalism.

3. Make your strengths known. If a particular aspect of a project would benefit from certain abilities, make the other members of the team aware if you have skills relevant to that area. Don't assume, however, that you are entitled to work on that element of the project.

4. Demonstrate reliability and accountability. Give estimated deadlines of when you will complete certain pieces of work and stick to the timelines. If the situation changes and your previous deadline becomes invalid, immediately let other members of the team know in case they were relying on the work.

5. Provide positivity and enthusiasm within the team. If you find enjoyment within your work, this can be sensed and appreciated by your teammates. This can have an important effect on morale, and improve working efficiency.

References

• Scholastic; Teamwork 101: 6 Steps to Becoming a Better Team Player; Khadija Fetuga
• Women on Business; 10 Ways to be a Better Team Player; Echo Garrett