How to Be An Effective Team Player

Working with others on a team can be easy or difficult depending on what is to be done and the nature of the people on your team. If your team requirements are clear and everyone on your team is knowledgeable about what needs to be done and knows how to listen, you are off to a good start. No team environment meets all our expectations but there are some things we can do to make ourselves a positive and contributing team member.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. 
    
   People

   Find out who the team lead is. You need to know who is in charge. Talk with this person asking for information about the team, his or her expectations, and any information that may help you do a good job.

2. 
    
   People

   Find out what is required. You need to know the team's purpose and the tasks that are required. The team lead should have this information. In fact, unless told by the team lead, do not rely on information provided by other team members. You also need to evaluate whether you have the skill set that will allow you to contribute to the team's success. If not, let the team lead know of your deficiencies. He or she may still want you on the team but your tasks may be realigned to your abilities.

3. 
    
   People

   Get to know your team members. It is especially important that you begin to know those team members which you will be working with directly. You need to know what kind of people you have around you. Hopefully, you will be with considerate and cooperative people but sometimes that is not the case. If you find yourself aligned with a difficult person, talk to your team lead immediately. Let him or her know of your concern and ask for advice on how to work with this person. This lets your team lead know that you care about being productive. It may also increase your chances of success. Once you know that you will be working with a difficult person, you will need to align your expectations. Additionally, you will recognize that your work in your team environment will be difficult. It is better to know what you are getting into.

Tips & Warnings

• Monitor your progress
• Periodically review how you are doing
• Are you completing your work on time and with high quality?
• Are you answering questions from other team members and cooperating with them by providing support where you can and listening to them?
• What choices are available to you?

[joanlandes]

on 1/22/2010 This was great. You sound as if you have been both the team leader and the team member. Nothing like knowledge from the trenches. I wanted to keep reading your tips!

[sharamiracle]

on 11/17/2009 Some things work on all levels of reality. Being a team player is one of them...great advice. Thanks for sharing.

[caspita]

on 11/16/2009 So many leaders don't get to know their players; good tips in Be An Effective Team Player! Thanks.

[heatherschulte]

on 8/24/2009 Working in a team can be a challenge! Thanks for the tips to be more effective.

[believeinfamily]

on 7/22/2009 5* Employers always want a "team player" and "team work" however they usually fail to provide effective training on how to be An Effective Team Player. Nice, Very Nice Article.