Hi All,
What makes a good team member?
Just as team members will have expectations of team leaders, they will also have expectations of other team members. Being a great team member can aid the team process as much as a good team leader. Here are some of the elements that make a great team member:
- Commitment to the team above themselves.
- Positive contribution to the team process and goals.
- Enthusiasm, energy, inspiration, and sufficient expertise. (It's not only for leaders!)
- Willingness to take responsibility for elements of the team's work.
- Delivering on commitments. (See what makes a good team leader!)
Commitment to the team above themselves
The factors that make up a successful team leader include both commitment to people and a desire to support and serve. Great team members are also servant-minded: seeking to serve others before their own needs.
Positive contribution to Team Process and Goals
Some team members may be willing to take a back seat - saying "it's the leader's role to tell us what to do!" This is symptomatic of a work group rather than a team. Great team members will support the team leadership with suggestions for improving the effectiveness of the team process or new ideas for delivering the team goals. This can lead to the leadership being shared around, as different team members drive the process at different times.
Enthusiasm, Energy, Inspiration, and Expertise
Team members don't only want their leaders to inspire and motivate them; having other team members who are also able to play this role is seen as very positive by most team members. Having a team structure that allows individual expertise and gifts to be understood and productively used by the team is very affirming to team members, and in turn, encourages their contribution. It's not only the team leader who has responsibility for developing that kind of team structure.
Willingness to take responsibility for elements of the team's work
Arising out of the previous element, team members should be willing to run with elements of the team's work - taking away tasks from the main group to work on. These might not only be tasks but could also include elements of team development.
Delivering on commitments
If an individual is to be fully valued by the team, they must be committed to the success of the team. If they agree to carry out action steps at team meetings, there is an expectation that these will be carried out unless that expectation is changed. If at the following team meeting, the team is surprised by an individual not delivering on what they agreed, there is a danger that they will lose trust in the individual. Further occurrences of this will almost certainly move the group process backward. It is better to resist the pressure to deliver initially and set appropriate expectations than to say yes and then spend the next weeks finding ways of apologizing.
What makes a good team member?
Just as team members will have expectations of team leaders, they will also have expectations of other team members. Being a great team member can aid the team process as much as a good team leader. Here are some of the elements that make a great team member:
- Commitment to the team above themselves.
- Positive contribution to the team process and goals.
- Enthusiasm, energy, inspiration, and sufficient expertise. (It's not only for leaders!)
- Willingness to take responsibility for elements of the team's work.
- Delivering on commitments. (See what makes a good team leader!)
Commitment to the team above themselves
The factors that make up a successful team leader include both commitment to people and a desire to support and serve. Great team members are also servant-minded: seeking to serve others before their own needs.
Positive contribution to Team Process and Goals
Some team members may be willing to take a back seat - saying "it's the leader's role to tell us what to do!" This is symptomatic of a work group rather than a team. Great team members will support the team leadership with suggestions for improving the effectiveness of the team process or new ideas for delivering the team goals. This can lead to the leadership being shared around, as different team members drive the process at different times.
Enthusiasm, Energy, Inspiration, and Expertise
Team members don't only want their leaders to inspire and motivate them; having other team members who are also able to play this role is seen as very positive by most team members. Having a team structure that allows individual expertise and gifts to be understood and productively used by the team is very affirming to team members, and in turn, encourages their contribution. It's not only the team leader who has responsibility for developing that kind of team structure.
Willingness to take responsibility for elements of the team's work
Arising out of the previous element, team members should be willing to run with elements of the team's work - taking away tasks from the main group to work on. These might not only be tasks but could also include elements of team development.
Delivering on commitments
If an individual is to be fully valued by the team, they must be committed to the success of the team. If they agree to carry out action steps at team meetings, there is an expectation that these will be carried out unless that expectation is changed. If at the following team meeting, the team is surprised by an individual not delivering on what they agreed, there is a danger that they will lose trust in the individual. Further occurrences of this will almost certainly move the group process backward. It is better to resist the pressure to deliver initially and set appropriate expectations than to say yes and then spend the next weeks finding ways of apologizing.