We all have worked on a team one way or another, whether it has been for a group project, for your occupation, or even a sports team. It is something that we can relate to others about. But what truly makes a strong team? Is it due to an effective leader or is it due to each one of the group members individual attributes? Here are a few characteristics that every team member should possess:
- Reliability/ Commitment to the group
- You have to be committed 110% if you want to get the job done. No matter what the reasons are for the individual to be on the team in the first place, you have to show that you are reliable enough to follow through. This includes meeting up with your teammates at your designated time and making adjustments to your schedule if needed. Being a hard worker will really show if you put the effort in. A selfless teammate will put the team first, before themselves. They will do everything they can to help the team to succeed.
- Being flexible with meeting times will help your teammates incase there are scheduling issues.
- Great communication
- Schneider, Gruman, and Coutts (2005) state that effective communication helps teammates in improving their team performance especially in developing a superior functioning team.
- Having effective communication can also help one to reach their goals. Goal setting is an essential component when trying to make a strong team (Schneider et al., 2012). When setting one’s goals, try to keep the goals as relevant, challenging, and realistic as possible. Remember to note if the goals are short-term or long-term goals (Schneider et al., 2012). Research has shown that goals help an individual in the development of new strategies, while helping one to pay attention to certain aspects of their own performance (Schneider et al., 2012). Overall, this helps to increase one’s efforts toward striving for a specific goal.
- Another form of communication to other teammates is nonverbal communication. This can act as a form of motivation for your teammates and can help boost their confidence. A few types of nonverbal communication between your teammates are high fives, hand piles, and team hugs (Schneider et al., 2012).
- Some distracting signs of nonverbal communication include body swaying, bad posture, and not maintaining enough eye contact. However, if your team effectively communicates then the main message will be that much easier to understand.
- Confidence
- If there’s no confidence in yourself, how will you get the job done? Your confidence will effect your performance and how you carry yourself.
- Be self-motivated and passionate about your work.
- A efficient teammate shouldn’t wait for others to give them directions, they should be the one to do their share of the work without someone telling them too. Being self-motivated may show other teammates that you have a certain drive and dedication to your team and in reaching your goal.
- Encouraging others will help empower them. Remind others how to reach the main objectives, the end goals, the main mission, and vision because it will show others of your team it has a purpose (Saylor, 2019).
These characteristics will help you to make you in becoming a better teammate. By being self motivated, being a dependable team player, being honest, having passion in what you do, and by communicating it effectively to your teammates will truly help in the development an effective team. Settings goals will help in the long run because it shows that you are focused on reaching them. Being honest with teammates about things that might not work will help them with improving themselves for the team by understanding their weaknesses and strengths (Yost & Tucker, 2000). In order to create a strong foundation with your team, you have to be ready to have difficult conversations with members by having open effective conversations with your members (Saylor, 2019). Actively listening will also help one with the development of one’s trust and even by encouraging your teammates with empowering messages can help you to get that much closer to your goal. Being a team player requires dedication, a lot practice, self-motivation, and passion for the team/ project (Saylor, 2019). By following these three characteristics, anyone can become the best team member they can be.
References
Saylor, T. (2019). Teaming up for success. Journal of Accountancy, 227(2), 14. Retrieved from http://ezaccess.libraries.psu.edu/login?url=https://search-proquest-com.ezaccess.libraries.psu.edu/docview/2176184493?accountid=13158
Schneider, F.W., Gruman, J.A., & Coutts, L.A. (2005). Applied Social Psychology: Understanding and Addressing Social and Practical Problems. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Yost, C. A., & Tucker, M. L. (2000). Are effective teams more emotionally intelligent? Confirming the importance of effective communication in teams. Delta Pi Epsilon Journal, 42(2), 101. Retrieved from http://ezaccess.libraries.psu.edu/login?url=https://search-proquest-com.ezaccess.libraries.psu.edu/docview/1297786949?accountid=13158
Tags: effective team members, team, team member characteristics
Strong team members are really critical to having a successful team. Strong team members allow teams to persevere through difficult tasks as well. Non verbal communication is paramount to allowing team members the opportunity to communicate amongst themselves. Commitment to the group is also very important because it may build a sense of camaraderie among the team members. When team members feel like they have the support of each other, much can be accomplished.