Becoming The Kind Of Person Becoming The Kind Of Person Every Team WantsEvery Team Wants

By S. MagombedzeBy S. MagombedzeAdopted from John C. Maxwell’s Adopted from John C. Maxwell’s

The 17 Essential Qualities of A Team PlayerThe 17 Essential Qualities of A Team Player

The Ideal Team PlayerThe Ideal Team Player

I want to build an ideal team player.I want to build an ideal team player. focused on the team vision (big focused on the team vision (big

picture) picture) focused on others and selfless, focused on others and selfless, willing to take a backseat for the willing to take a backseat for the

good of the team, and good of the team, and works hard to overcome obstacles, works hard to overcome obstacles,

no matter what.no matter what.

1. Adaptable1. AdaptableCharacteristics:Characteristics: They are willing to learn and adapt to new They are willing to learn and adapt to new

things.things. They do not feel threatened by a new addition They do not feel threatened by a new addition

to the team, or a change in the way things are to the team, or a change in the way things are done.done.

They are creative. They are creative. They focus less on themselves and think of the They focus less on themselves and think of the

good of the team.good of the team.Action:Action: Get into the habit of learning. Get into the habit of learning. Reevaluate your role on the team.Reevaluate your role on the team. Think outside the box. Think outside the box. Be creative and resourceful when faced with a Be creative and resourceful when faced with a

challenge.challenge.

2. Collaborative2. CollaborativeWorking together precedes winning Working together precedes winning

togethertogether Collaboration is the key word when it Collaboration is the key word when it

comes to meeting challenges as a comes to meeting challenges as a team. team.

Cooperation is merely working together Cooperation is merely working together agreeably, but collaborating means agreeably, but collaborating means working together more aggressively. working together more aggressively.

Every team player must bring Every team player must bring something more to the table, and not something more to the table, and not just put in his minimum required work.just put in his minimum required work.

A collaborative team player needs to change in four A collaborative team player needs to change in four key areas:key areas:

PerceptionPerception See teammates as collaborators, not as competitors. See teammates as collaborators, not as competitors. Your skills and talents must complement and not compete.Your skills and talents must complement and not compete.

AttitudeAttitude Don’t be suspicious, of your teammates. Don’t be suspicious, of your teammates. Always assume another person’s motives are good unless Always assume another person’s motives are good unless

proven otherwise. proven otherwise. Treat others wellTreat others well

FocusFocus Concentrate on the team, not yourselfConcentrate on the team, not yourself Think of progress as a relay race, where you must pass the Think of progress as a relay race, where you must pass the

baton onto your next teammate.baton onto your next teammate. Do not ask “What’s in it for me?” but rather “What does this Do not ask “What’s in it for me?” but rather “What does this

do for the team?”do for the team?” ResultsResults

Create victories through multiplicationCreate victories through multiplication

2. Collaborative (Cont…)2. Collaborative (Cont…)

To be a collaborative team player…To be a collaborative team player…

Think win-win-win.Think win-win-win. Complement others and their unique Complement others and their unique

gifts.gifts. Take yourself out of the picture. Take yourself out of the picture. Stop promoting yourself and ask how Stop promoting yourself and ask how

the team would do if you were not in the team would do if you were not in it,it,

Propose ideas that will promote other Propose ideas that will promote other teammates.teammates.

3. Commitment3. CommitmentThere are no halfhearted championsThere are no halfhearted champions Committed people don’t surrender easily.Committed people don’t surrender easily. Commitment does not depend on gifts or abilities.Commitment does not depend on gifts or abilities. Commitment is the result of choice, not Commitment is the result of choice, not

circumstance.circumstance. Commitment lasts when it’s based on values. If it’s Commitment lasts when it’s based on values. If it’s

something you believe in, it’ssomething you believe in, it’s easier to keep.easier to keep.

How does a teamplayer improve his level of How does a teamplayer improve his level of commitment?commitment?

Make a list of personal and professional Make a list of personal and professional commitments. commitments.

Commit yourself to living your values.Commit yourself to living your values. Any commitment involves riskAny commitment involves risk Evaluate your teammates’ commitment. You can’t Evaluate your teammates’ commitment. You can’t

expect commitment from uncommitted people.expect commitment from uncommitted people.

4.Communication4.CommunicationCommunicative team players…Communicative team players… Do not isolate themselves from others.Do not isolate themselves from others. Make it easy for teammates to communicate Make it easy for teammates to communicate

with them.with them. The twenty-four hour rule - never allowing a The twenty-four hour rule - never allowing a

conflict to go unresolved for 24 hours. conflict to go unresolved for 24 hours.

How do we improve communication?How do we improve communication? Openness fosters trust. Speak truthfully but Openness fosters trust. Speak truthfully but

kindly and respectfully to your teammates.kindly and respectfully to your teammates. Be quick. Don’t sit on things. Address Be quick. Don’t sit on things. Address

potential issues at the first opportunity.potential issues at the first opportunity. Be inclusive. Do not keep information from Be inclusive. Do not keep information from

others, keep your teammates informed at all others, keep your teammates informed at all times.times.

5. Competent5. CompetentIf you can’t, your team won’tIf you can’t, your team won’t Competent means the individual must be highly Competent means the individual must be highly

qualified to do the job well.qualified to do the job well. is committed to excellenceis committed to excellence Never settles for mediocre. always do their best.Never settles for mediocre. always do their best. Pay attention to detail.Pay attention to detail. Perform with consistency.Perform with consistency.

How do we improve our level of competence?How do we improve our level of competence? Focus yourself professionally. Select an area of Focus yourself professionally. Select an area of

specialization, it should be something you are specialization, it should be something you are naturally good at, and it should be something you naturally good at, and it should be something you enjoy.enjoy.

Push yourself as hard as you can.Push yourself as hard as you can. Do what you plan to do.Do what you plan to do.

6. Dependable6. DependableTeam-mates need to know they can count on each other Team-mates need to know they can count on each other

when times are tough.when times are tough.The essence of dependability:The essence of dependability: Pure motives. Pure motives. Have the ability to take on responsibility. The team player must Have the ability to take on responsibility. The team player must

want the ball and be able to sink it in the basket and score.want the ball and be able to sink it in the basket and score. Have sound thinking and good judgment, when it counts.Have sound thinking and good judgment, when it counts. Consistent contribution, no matter how tired, overwhelmed or Consistent contribution, no matter how tired, overwhelmed or

distracted, you must be able to deliver.distracted, you must be able to deliver.

How do we improve our dependability?How do we improve our dependability? Check your motives.Check your motives. Do your goals benefit the teams you are part of? Do your goals benefit the teams you are part of? Align personal priorities with those of your team.Align personal priorities with those of your team. Discover what your word is worth.Discover what your word is worth.

Ask five teammates “When I say I intend to do something, how Ask five teammates “When I say I intend to do something, how reliable am I? Rate me on a scale of 1 to 10.” If you rate lower than reliable am I? Rate me on a scale of 1 to 10.” If you rate lower than a 9, start writing down your commitments and track your follow-a 9, start writing down your commitments and track your follow-through.through.

Find someone to hold you accountable.Find someone to hold you accountable.

TEAMTEAM

TogetherTogether EveryoneEveryone AchievesAchieves More!More!

2. Becoming The Kind Of Person 2. Becoming The Kind Of Person Every Team WantsEvery Team Wants

AdaptableAdaptable Can you easily adapt to new things.Can you easily adapt to new things.

CollaborativeCollaborative Can you easily work together with othersCan you easily work together with others

CommitmentCommitment Do you surrender easilyDo you surrender easily

CommunicationCommunication Do you make communication with others easyDo you make communication with others easy

CompetenceCompetence Are you committed to excellenceAre you committed to excellence

DependableDependable Can People count on you every moment.Can People count on you every moment.

7. Disciplined7. DisciplinedDiscipline is doing what you really don’t want to Discipline is doing what you really don’t want to

do, so that you can do what you really want to do, so that you can do what you really want to do.do.

Pay the price, you will have the reward later. Pay the price, you will have the reward later. You must develop discipline in three areas:You must develop discipline in three areas:

Disciplined thinking.Disciplined thinking. Disciplined emotionsDisciplined emotions. . Disciplined actions.Disciplined actions.

How do we become more disciplined team players?How do we become more disciplined team players? By strengthening our work habits.By strengthening our work habits. Do it when it ought to be done, whether you like it or Do it when it ought to be done, whether you like it or

not.not. Do something necessary but unpleasant every day to Do something necessary but unpleasant every day to

keep yourself disciplined.keep yourself disciplined. Take on a bigger task than you are accustomed to. Take on a bigger task than you are accustomed to.

8. Enlarging8. EnlargingTeam members love a player who is able to Team members love a player who is able to

inspire them to become more successful. inspire them to become more successful. Enlargers value what their teammates value.Enlargers value what their teammates value. They know what their teammates hope and aspire They know what their teammates hope and aspire

for.for. Enlargers add value to their teammates.Enlargers add value to their teammates. The enlarger looks for special talents and gifts in The enlarger looks for special talents and gifts in

other.other. Enlargers make themselves more valuable.Enlargers make themselves more valuable.

How do we become Enlargers?How do we become Enlargers? Believe in others before they believe in you.Believe in others before they believe in you. Serve others before they serve you.Serve others before they serve you. Add value to others before they add value to you. Add value to others before they add value to you. Point out your teammates’ strengths, encourage Point out your teammates’ strengths, encourage

and motivate them out of their comfort zone.and motivate them out of their comfort zone.

9. Enthusiastic9. Enthusiastic Bring an enthusiastic attitude to teamwork Bring an enthusiastic attitude to teamwork

often…often… Take responsibility for their own enthusiasm. Take responsibility for their own enthusiasm. The only way to begin is simply to begin!The only way to begin is simply to begin! Believe in what they are doing.Believe in what they are doing. Spend time with enthusiastic people. Enthusiasm is Spend time with enthusiastic people. Enthusiasm is

contagious.contagious.

How to improve your enthusiasm:How to improve your enthusiasm: Show a sense of urgency. Give yourself deadlines Show a sense of urgency. Give yourself deadlines

and be a bit more ambitious.and be a bit more ambitious. Be willing to do more. Go the extra mile with your Be willing to do more. Go the extra mile with your

teammates.teammates. Strive for excellence. Nothing breeds enthusiasm Strive for excellence. Nothing breeds enthusiasm

like a job well done.like a job well done.

10. Make every action count10. Make every action countBeing intentional means working with a strong sense of Being intentional means working with a strong sense of

purpose.purpose. Successful individuals are focused. Successful individuals are focused. They have a clear reason why they are doing what they They have a clear reason why they are doing what they

are doing. are doing. Are productive, the kind of people who can make every Are productive, the kind of people who can make every

action count.action count.

To live with intentionality,To live with intentionality, Have one good strong reason to live for.Have one good strong reason to live for. Be self-aware and know what you can do wellBe self-aware and know what you can do well Direct your time and energy more intentionally.Direct your time and energy more intentionally. Once you’ve figured out why you are here, it’s easier to Once you’ve figured out why you are here, it’s easier to

figure out the what and the when.figure out the what and the when. Learn to say No. You can’t accomplish much if you don’t Learn to say No. You can’t accomplish much if you don’t

focus.focus. We all have a limited amount of time on this planet, so We all have a limited amount of time on this planet, so

use your time with a clear sense of direction.use your time with a clear sense of direction.

11. Mission conscious11. Mission consciousThe mission-conscious team players:The mission-conscious team players: Know where the team is going.Know where the team is going. Let the leader of the team lead.Let the leader of the team lead. Any time a team member hinders the actions of the Any time a team member hinders the actions of the

leader, the whole team will be hindered in its goals.leader, the whole team will be hindered in its goals. They place team accomplishment ahead of their own.They place team accomplishment ahead of their own. Teamwork requires sacrifice. They do whatever is Teamwork requires sacrifice. They do whatever is

necessary to achieve the mission.necessary to achieve the mission. Always keeping the team’s mission in mind makes it Always keeping the team’s mission in mind makes it

easier to not get bogged down by the details of easier to not get bogged down by the details of responsibilities.responsibilities.

How to improve mission consciousness…How to improve mission consciousness… Have a mission statement?Have a mission statement? Find ways to keep the mission in mind.Find ways to keep the mission in mind. Contribute your best as a team member. This may Contribute your best as a team member. This may

mean taking a behind-the-scenes rolemean taking a behind-the-scenes role

12. Be Prepared12. Be PreparedTo be a more prepared team, think about the To be a more prepared team, think about the

following:following: Rigorous preparationRigorous preparation Alignment - Tons of preparation in the wrong direction Alignment - Tons of preparation in the wrong direction

is a complete waste of team effort and time.is a complete waste of team effort and time. Attitude - A positive attitude about yourself, your Attitude - A positive attitude about yourself, your

teammates and your situation will bring success.teammates and your situation will bring success. Action - Courage has no greater ally than preparation, Action - Courage has no greater ally than preparation,

and fear has no greater enemy.and fear has no greater enemy.

To improve preparedness…To improve preparedness… Become a process thinker - Create a system or list to Become a process thinker - Create a system or list to

walk you through the process and break tasks down walk you through the process and break tasks down ahead of time.ahead of time.

Do more research - Become more familiar with the Do more research - Become more familiar with the tools of your trade and become an expert at using tools of your trade and become an expert at using them.them.

Learn from your mistakes - Determine what you can do Learn from your mistakes - Determine what you can do differently next time you face a similar situation as one differently next time you face a similar situation as one which you failed.which you failed.

13. Relational13. Relational RespectRespect TrustTrust Enjoy together. Enjoy together.

Just the joy of being together as a team can Just the joy of being together as a team can turn unpleasant tasks into positive turn unpleasant tasks into positive experiences.experiences.

To better relate to your teammates…To better relate to your teammates… Focus on others instead of yourself.Focus on others instead of yourself. Ask the right questions. Ask the right questions. Listen carefully.Listen carefully. Share common experiences. Share common experiences. Make others feel special. Make others feel special.

14. Self-improving14. Self-improvingTo improve the team, improve yourself. Three To improve the team, improve yourself. Three

processes:processes:

Preparation.Preparation. Be prepared to meet challenges and handle them.Be prepared to meet challenges and handle them.

Contemplation.Contemplation. You need time alone to sharpen your personal vision and plan You need time alone to sharpen your personal vision and plan

how you can improve in the future.how you can improve in the future. Application.Application.

Start applying what you’ve learnedStart applying what you’ve learned

To become self-improving…To become self-improving… Become highly teachable. Ask questions and adopt the Become highly teachable. Ask questions and adopt the

attitude of a learner, not an expert.attitude of a learner, not an expert. Plan your progress.Plan your progress. Value self-improvement above anything elseValue self-improvement above anything else

15. Selfless15. Selfless

There is no “Me, I & Myself” in teamThere is no “Me, I & Myself” in teamHow do you cultivate an attitude of How do you cultivate an attitude of

selflessness?selflessness? Be generous.Be generous. Avoid internal politics.Avoid internal politics. Display loyalty.Display loyalty. Value interdependence over independenceValue interdependence over independence

To become more selfless…To become more selfless… Promote someone other than yourself. Find Promote someone other than yourself. Find

positive things to say about others.positive things to say about others. Take a subordinate role.Take a subordinate role.

16. Solution Oriented16. Solution OrientedMake a resolution to find the solutionMake a resolution to find the solution Your personality type, upbringing and personal Your personality type, upbringing and personal

history affect how solution-oriented you are naturally. history affect how solution-oriented you are naturally. Anyone can become solution-oriented. Solution Anyone can become solution-oriented. Solution

oriented people recognize these truths:oriented people recognize these truths: Problems are a matter of perspective.Problems are a matter of perspective. All problems are solvable.All problems are solvable. The choice is yours to let a problem stretch your potential or The choice is yours to let a problem stretch your potential or

stop your progress.stop your progress.

To make yourself a solution-oriented team To make yourself a solution-oriented team player…player…

Refuse to give up.Refuse to give up. Refocus your thinking.Refocus your thinking. Rethink your strategy. Rethink your strategy. Do whatever it takes to get your solution. Do whatever it takes to get your solution. Generate fresh ideas and approaches to a problem.Generate fresh ideas and approaches to a problem. Repeat the process.Repeat the process.

17. An Iron Will17. An Iron WillNever, never, never quit. Never, never, never quit. Give all the energy you’ve got.Give all the energy you’ve got. Working with determination. Working with determination. Do not rely on luck, or destiny for your success.Do not rely on luck, or destiny for your success. When conditions become difficult, keep working.When conditions become difficult, keep working. Quit when the job is done, not when you’re tired. Quit when the job is done, not when you’re tired. Push yourself beyond what you think you are Push yourself beyond what you think you are

capable of.capable of.

To improve your tenacity:To improve your tenacity: Work harder and smarter. Work harder and smarter. Put in additional hours. Put in additional hours. Plan your time to be more efficient.Plan your time to be more efficient. Make your work a game. Make your work a game.

You are now a Team Player!You are now a Team Player!