Four Traits of Effective Team Members

By Gregg Gregory

The most effective means to building an effective and productive team is open and honest communication.

Effective team members of any team will demonstrate different traits. Over the years certain traits have been known to surface on almost all teams. Regardless if the team is a sports team, work team, special project team or volunteer team, these traits are the shining traits on them all.

Let's begin with the most obvious - They are willing to set aside their own personal agenda for the benefit of the team. Think about the best and worst team players you can think of. The best will always set aside their personal agenda and work for the betterment of the team while the not so good members will stay focused on their personal agenda. We have all experienced both sides of this one.

The second trait is not as obvious - They volunteer for new assignments and tasks. Now this does not mean they volunteer for everything that comes down the proverbial path. It does mean that they in fact think of ways that they can better themselves and the team by accepting the challenge of a new undertaking. This indeed accomplishes two significant tasks... first it benefits the team because most likely it is a task that no one really wanted to do and now it is being done. Secondly it serves the team member because they are probably stepping out of his/her comfort zone and this will likely assist them down the road in the future.

The third and fourth traits go together - They are open to new ideas for the benefit of the whole team; and - They are willing to modify their views for the benefit of the entire team. Although they may believe their way is the most effective or productive they are willing to modify in order to keep the team moving in a forward and positive direction. It is important to understand that they are not acquiescing to the group or another member of the team. They are ultimately focused on the forward movement of the team and they believe in trying new and innovative ideas to keep this process moving.

Think of your existing work team for just a moment. And by existing team I mean your immediate players you work with day in and day out. Does everyone (including you) fit securely into all four of these traits?

What is missing, and can you formulate a discussion around this at your next team meeting?

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