Good teams have the
skill to win games; the great teams have the skill and the will to win games!
The will to get through difficult times!
Deep down inside we all know we can't do it alone. We know
that Cup Finals are not won by individuals. They are won by a collection of
individuals who make a great team. It's the same with work and life. We are
better together when we are surrounded by great team members. Here are none ways to be a great team member.
1. Set the Example
- Instead of worrying about the lack of performance, productivity and
commitment of others you simply decide to set the example and show your team
members what hard work, passion and commitment looks like. Focus on being your
best every day. When you do this you’ll raise the standards and performance of
everyone around you.
2. Use Your Strengths
to Help the Team - The most powerful way you can contribute to your team is
to use your gifts and talents to contribute to the team's vision and goals.
Without your effort, focus, talent and growth the team won't accomplish its
mission. This means you have an obligation to improve so you can improve your
team. You are meant to develop your strengths to make a stronger team. Be
selfish by developing you and unselfish by making sure your strengths serve the
team.
3. Share Positive
Contagious Energy - Research shows emotions are contagious and each day you
are infecting your team with either positive energy or negative energy. You can
be a germ or a big dose of Vitamin C. When you share positive energy you
infectiously enhance the mood, morale and performance of your team. Remember,
negativity is toxic and will sabotage teams. Complaining is like vomiting.
Afterwards you feel better but everyone around you feels sick.
4. Know and Live the
Magic Ratio - High performing teams have more positive interactions than
negative interactions. 3:1 is the ratio to remember. Teams that experience
interactions at a ratio equal or greater than 3:1 are more productive and
higher performing than those with a ratio of less than 3:1. Teams that have a
ratio of 2:1, 1:1 or more negative interactions than positive interactions
become stagnant and unproductive. This means you can be a great team member by
being a 3 to 1’er. Create more positive interactions. Praise more. Encourage
more. Appreciate more. Smile more. High-five more. Recognise more. Energise
more.
5. Put the Team First
- Great team players always put the team first. They work hard for the team.
They develop themselves for the team. They serve the team. Their motto is
whatever it takes to make the team better. They don’t take credit. They give
credit to the team. To be a great team member your ego must be subservient to
the mission and purpose of the team. It’s a challenge to keep our ego in check.
It’s something most of us struggle with because we have our own goals and
desires. But if we monitor our ego and put the team first we’ll make the team
better and our servant approach will make us better.
6. Build
Relationships - Relationships are the foundation upon which winning teams
are built and great team members take the time to connect, communicate and care
to build strong bonds and relationships with all their team members. You can be
the smartest person in the room but if you don’t connect with others you will
fail as a team member. It’s important to take the time to get to know your team
members. Listen to them. Eat with them. Learn about them. Know what inspires
them and show them you care about them.
7. Trust and Be
Trusted - You can’t have a strong team without strong relationships. And
you can’t have strong relationships without trust. Great team members trust
their teammates and most of all their team members trust them. Trust is earned
through integrity, consistency, honesty, transparency, vulnerability and
dependability. If you can’t be trusted you can’t be a great team member. Trust
is everything.
8. Hold Them
Accountable - Sometimes our team members fall short of the team's
expectations. Sometimes they make mistakes. Sometimes they need a little tough
love. Great team members hold each other accountable. They push, challenge and
stretch each other to be their best. Don’t be afraid to hold your team members
accountable. But remember to be effective you must built trust and a
relationship with your team members. If they know you care about them, they
will allow you to challenge them and hold them accountable. Tough love works
when love comes first. Love tough.
9. Be Humble -
Great team members are humble. They are willing to learn, improve and get
better. They are open to their team member's feedback and suggestions and don’t
let their ego get in the way of their growth or the team’s growth. If we're not
humble we won’t allow ourselves to be held accountable. We won’t grow. We won’t
build strong relationships and we won’t put the team first. There’s tremendous
power in humility that makes us and our team better.
