Are You a Team Player or a Lone Wolf?

Posted on: December 5th, 2017 in Mindset by Pat Mesiti | 1 Comment

In a recent blog, I wrote about the struggles many creative people face when trying to work in a conventional job and with a team. Many creative types opt out of conventional jobs to start their own companies. Today I want to look at the flipside of the coin. Perhaps you have your own business or volunteer for a charity. Have you ever needed to assemble a team to get a project done? What do you look for in team members? Alternatively, you might be in the job market, looking around for a new position. You will notice that many job descriptions list “ability to work well in a team”. What does that mean?

If you read my previous blog, you will have learnt about the research of Norwegian academic Professor Øyvind L. Martinsen who found that highly creative people struggle to work in a team environment. Martinsen found that creative people have low-emotional stability, with a tendency to experience negative emotions, greater fluctuations in moods and their self-confidence falters. Creative people are also not particularly social. They are no good at being considerate, are obstinate and frequently find flaws in other people’s ideas. Not surprisingly many creative types have a record of changing jobs frequently. In many ways they are the quintessential lone wolf.

Team players are reliable

If you are looking to build a team or convince a potential employee you are a team player, then you need to demonstrate reliability. A strong team player gets the job done, does a fair share of work and meets deadlines. Basically a team player is a consistent performer. That means they perform to capacity day after day. They do not have slow days when they hide at their desk, or days when they spend much of their time on the phone to family or friends. Every day they are firing on all cylinders. Creative people are more likely to have good and bad days as they are prone to mood fluctuations.

Why are teams created?

Teams are often created to get big projects completed. Teams are usually comprised of people with different skill sets, who need to work together to complete the task. The team is greater than the sum of the individual members. Ideally the team applies individual perspectives, experience, and skills to solve a complex problem.

The best team players are also strong communicators. That means they are clear, honest, and direct and contribute to group discussions. They treat their co-workers with courtesy and respect, and know how to listen. They hear out their colleague and offer wise feedback. They listen, consider, then respond. They never shoot from the hip.

Strong team players prepare and support their team mates

A strong team member can take on and remember instructions. They come prepared for meetings and are committed to their work. They form respectful, productive relationships with colleagues and can talk to people easily. They are able to work with people who do not share their outlooks or beliefs and come from different backgrounds. They find ways to work with new people and get the project done. Sometimes that means reaching out to a colleague and offering help. They show appropriate respect and support for colleagues grappling with problems.

Effective team members embrace change

An effective team member copes well with change and does not resist new directions. They have no interest in sticking to conventions, but just seek to get the job done using the best method. An efficient team member is flexible and adaptive. They know not to blame external factors or lash out at others when things go wrong. They know that complaining and lamenting the past is useless, instead it is better to look to the future and find a solution.

A valued team member cares about their workplace, their colleagues and the project. They do not take unnecessary leave, but show up every day willing to put in 100 percent. They want their colleagues to share their enthusiasm.

A real team member is a problem solver, willing to take on new challenges. They do not fixate on what is not working, but deliberate with colleagues and find a creative way forward. They know that two heads are better than one!

Team players need a sense of humour

Great team players have a sense of humour and fun, but are always respectful to colleagues who come from different cultural or ethnic backgrounds. They conduct themselves in a professional manner.

A strong team member does more than they are asked. They are prepared to take risks and come up with original ideas. They know this is what it takes to progress. They happily take on extra responsibilities and show initiative.

Know your strengths

It is helpful to know what your strengths are in a team. Do you have the technical expertise, the writing skills or the organisational ability? Know your strength and find a role within the team that allows you to excel, otherwise you will not feel you are making a meaningful contribution. And it’s usually more fun to do a job you know you can do well!

In a past blog I wrote about getting advice and how many chief executive officers seek advice from executives in the same industry and with a similar background. Unfortunately some managers also make the mistake of assembling a team with members who are too similar. The strongest teams are made up of a variety of people with different skills and experiences. Ideally they should come from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds and be a mix of men and women, but they are all team players who know how to work with other people. That means they never talk about their colleagues behind their backs, but instead give honest feedback, keep promises and if they have a conflict with a team mate, they deal with it – address the issue and move on.

Be across the big picture

Most importantly in a team it is essential that everyone knows what the ultimate goal is and knows how their role supports that. A fully functioning team member does not just do what they are told and obey the boss. They understand the big picture and where they fit.

Finally, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Once a team is established, an overarching plan should be written up. The major goal must be outlined. Everyone’s goals and responsibilities must be detailed. Ideally the plan will stipulate deadlines and everyone will sign off on this plan, so no one can later complain that they didn’t know what was expected of them by the team.

ABOUT PAT MESITI

Pat Mesiti is a best-selling author, coach and educator in the area of personal development. Having built some of Australia’s largest people-driven organisations, Pat understands the power of harnessing human potential. He has shared the stage with some of the world’s great business minds and has sold over millions of copies of his books and materials.

 

  1. robert marwick says:

    Like it – like it a lot

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