EFFECTIVE TEAM PLAYERS

A team is a group of people with a common goal irrespective of their sex, colour, background, religious creed etc. Teams are created particularly to provide solution to an existing problem and create countermeasures to prevent future occurrences of that problem which may arise in the same form or a similar form. In a team, there is no personal goal, there is only a collective goal. To work effectively in a team, one has to adopt certain behaviours and attitudes. .

The key word to being an effective team member is 'ADAPTABILITY'; one most be ready and able to adapt to the team's philosophy, objectives and rules. The team doesn't bend to the individual, the individual bends to the team, "If you won't change for the team, the team may change you".
TEAM is defined as
Together
Everyone
Achieves
Maximum result

Here is a few tips on how to be an effective team player;

1. RESPECT AND VALUE EVERYONE ON THE TEAM; Everyone on the team has something to offer. Do not ignore people's opinion just so your own opinion can sail through in the team. Sometimes, you have to let others win and even support their own opinions in as much as it is for the good of the entire team. There is no 'I' in team.

2. LISTEN MORE AND COMMUNICATE CONSTRUCTIVELY; Good listeners are essential for teams to function effectively. Teams need team players who can absorb, understand, and consider ideas and points of view from other people without debating and arguing every point. Such a team member does not shy away from making a point but makes it in the best way possible — in a positive, confident, and respectful manner. He/she avoids derogatory terms on other team members when criticising other people's opinions and point of views.

3. ADD VALUE AND IMPROVE THE TEAM; "People will always move towards anyone who increases them and away from others who devalue them" JOHN MAXWELL. Teams need people who will help other team members become better in their roles. No one feels more cheated than a selfish man. To add value to team members; point out their strengths, help them focus on improvement, help them build their confidence in the team. By doing that, you become more valuable to the team.

4. BE A PROBLEM SOLVER; Teams are created to deal with a problem and so every member of the team must be solution oriented to work effectively with the team. "Someone who thinks in terms of solutions instead of just problems can be a difference maker. A team filled with people who possess that mindset can really get things done" John Maxwell. Good team players are willing to deal with all kinds of problems in a solution-oriented manner. "Obstacle will look large or small to you according to whether you are large or small" Orison Swett Marden.

5. IMPROVE YOURSELF TO REMAIN VALUABLE; As we have established already, teams are created to solve problems. To remain valuable to the team, you must constantly improve yourself to help the team achieve its goals and aims. "Success is a little like wrestling a gorilla. You don't quit when you are tired. You quit when the gorilla is tired" Robert Strauss. To remain valuable, you have to work smarter, work harder, stand for something. Don't quit, no matter what, never quit! "To see far is one thing, getting there is another". Constantine Brancusi

Be an effective team player today!