SHORT
DEFINITION FOR TEAMWORK:
Working together in order to achieve a goal
Working together in order to achieve a goal
BEHAVIORAL
INDICATORS FOR TEAMWORK:
- I look for ways to help my team meet our goals
- I’ll do a good job no matter where I am assigned
- I willingly accept changes to work plans
- I make up for shortfalls by others
- I involve and listen to other team members as we respond to changes in workflow
ARTICLE: 10 Qualities
of an Effective Team Player
Full article below
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Ten Qualities of an Effective Team Player - By Marty
Brounstein
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.
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