KevinTest
Last week I gave you 5 Qualities that Make an Effective Team Mate. I said, I think at one point or another in our lives, we have all been members of a team. Would you agree?
This week I want to round out the topic and give you 5 more qualities that I think are important in a team mate.
- Cooperation — Cooperation is the act of working with others and acting together to accomplish a job. Effective team mates work this way by second nature. Good team mates, despite differences they may have with other team members concerning approach and technique, find ways to work together to solve problems and get work done.
- Exhibits flexibility — Teams often have to 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. They don’t hold to a point of view and argue it , especially when the team needs to move forward to make a decision or get something done. Strong team players are firm in their thoughts and open to others — flexibility at its best. - Is committed (to the team) — Good team mates 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. Usually this attribute is contagious.
- 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 don’t simply rehash a problem the way problem-dwellers do. They don’t look for others to fault.
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 respect — 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.
Are we being good team mates? Are we reliable, listening, and communicating effectively? Does someone want to join our team? Are we leading all of our team members correctly? Are we cooperating with the team, and focusing on common goals? Do any of these things ring true in your life? I know the do to me, I have two friends who are sometimes on the team, and sometimes not, are my teams goals changing or are theirs?
Photo credit: Mads Høgstedt Danquah / Foter.com / CC BY-NC
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Photo credit: TxSportsPix / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND
What about “Discernment”? It is a little bit related to being a problem-solver. But it is much more than that. It is the ability to see and recognize what the problem is and how to choose between multiple options to solve it.
I think a good word to use for “problem-solver” is peacemaker. When people look at that word, they only see the “peace” part, but creating peace – solving a problem – takes much more effective communication, “get problems out in the open for discussion” as you said, in order to address it. I love this word picture because it peace doesn’t just happen, it is made. We have to make peace in certain situations as solving a problem must be sought after. I really enjoyed your characteristics of team mates and completely agree.
Last week, I jumped out of my cruiser before my partner put it in park. My boots hit the ground running. We were pursuing 8 juveniles on bicycles who had just robbed a man. Normally, I drive and let my younger, faster partner ride shotgun for this very moment. But that didn’t happen today. (Exhibits flexibility )
At 44 years of age, I knew I had my work cut out for me…plus I was wearing 30 pounds of gear. Not to mention, we had just had lunch. The juveniles had the advantage. Before I knew it, I dashed through an opening in a metal fence, tunnel vision took over, and I dangerously found myself alone in an apartment complex. Alone. Searching.
Gun drawn…I took corners wide and slow. Bystanders pointed me in the direction the juveniles were last seen. I looked back I was still alone.
I bumped my radio and relayed my location and soon I was joined by another team member. (Works a problem-solver)
We spotted another suspect running and we took off together. (Cooperation)
Long story short, we caught him.
We returned to our empty cruiser and my partner. I thanked my team mate for having my back. My partner told me that he stopped the car, tackled one juvenile, and looked up and I was gone. He told a fellow teammate to find me and watch my back. (Is committed to the team)
I thanked my partner and my fellow teammate slapped my back and told me good job.
(Treats others in a respectful and supportive manner )
Just thought I would throw in a case study!