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.
From United Arab Emirates, Dubai
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19What 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.
From United Arab Emirates, Dubai
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HHI, If we follow these factors, we all can be terrific team members and contribute to the success of the organisations. Thanks for posting such a nice article. Archna
From India, Delhi
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From India, Delhi
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The strength of the team lies in its weakest link. Every member should ensure that they are not the weakest link in the team. The sense of "Together we will excel" should be the mantra of everyone. Every individual team member should know when to lead, when to support, when to sacrifice, besides effectively doing their part of the job.
A perfect example is your fingers. Five different fingers, five different sizes. Introspect on how you use them at different times for different needs. Together, they make a stronger fist. Individually, they have significant usage.
From India, Mumbai
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A perfect example is your fingers. Five different fingers, five different sizes. Introspect on how you use them at different times for different needs. Together, they make a stronger fist. Individually, they have significant usage.
From India, Mumbai
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While on the subject, I would like to share what I came across on the internet regarding teamwork. It might be of interest to the members.
TEAMWORK VICTORY!
Concentrate 10% on lack of communication...
And 90% on being PART OF ESTABLISHING IT.
Concentrate 10% on unprofessionalism...
And 90% on LEADING BY EXAMPLE.
Concentrate 10% on someone else's weaknesses...
And 90% on IMPROVING YOUR OWN.
Concentrate 10% on accusations...
And 90% on GETTING THE FACTS.
Concentrate 10% on lack of training...
And 90% on HOW TO OBTAIN IT.
Concentrate 10% on complaining...
And 90% on COMPLIMENTING.
Concentrate 10% on flaws in the system...
And 90% on BEING PART OF IMPROVING THEM.
Concentrate 10% on constructive criticism...
And 90% on LEARNING FROM IT.
Concentrate 10% on others...
And 90% on YOURSELF.
Concentrate 10% on the fear of making a mistake...
And 90% on ACHIEVING SUCCESS.
Concentrate 10% on watching the clock...
And 90% on PRODUCTIVITY!
Concentrate 10% on conflict...
And 90% on RESOLUTION.
Concentrate 10% on what you want to be...
And 90% on HOW TO GET THERE!
Concentrate 10% on obstacles...
And 90% on PERSEVERANCE AND VICTORY!
From India, Mumbai
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TEAMWORK VICTORY!
Concentrate 10% on lack of communication...
And 90% on being PART OF ESTABLISHING IT.
Concentrate 10% on unprofessionalism...
And 90% on LEADING BY EXAMPLE.
Concentrate 10% on someone else's weaknesses...
And 90% on IMPROVING YOUR OWN.
Concentrate 10% on accusations...
And 90% on GETTING THE FACTS.
Concentrate 10% on lack of training...
And 90% on HOW TO OBTAIN IT.
Concentrate 10% on complaining...
And 90% on COMPLIMENTING.
Concentrate 10% on flaws in the system...
And 90% on BEING PART OF IMPROVING THEM.
Concentrate 10% on constructive criticism...
And 90% on LEARNING FROM IT.
Concentrate 10% on others...
And 90% on YOURSELF.
Concentrate 10% on the fear of making a mistake...
And 90% on ACHIEVING SUCCESS.
Concentrate 10% on watching the clock...
And 90% on PRODUCTIVITY!
Concentrate 10% on conflict...
And 90% on RESOLUTION.
Concentrate 10% on what you want to be...
And 90% on HOW TO GET THERE!
Concentrate 10% on obstacles...
And 90% on PERSEVERANCE AND VICTORY!
From India, Mumbai
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Effective Teamwork.pps
Managing An Effective Team.pdf