Be a cool team player

Teams are created for several reasons. They may need to deliver a one-time project, or work together on an ongoing basis

Be a cool team player

Teams are created for several reasons. They may need to deliver a one-time project, or work together on an ongoing basis. Either way, it is about putting a bouquet full of creativity into use for collective benefit. Big Break tells you how you can be a great team player:

Use your strengths
Try to identify what you do best. Perhaps you're incredibly organised. Or, you might excel at motivating people, helping resolve disagreement, or researching hard-to-find information. Find a role within your team that allows you to do what you do well. When a group works well together, creativity levels are generally higher, as people tap into one another's strengths. This often leads to increased productivity, and an inspiring sense of collaboration.

Understand the team's objectives
A lack of communication and understanding about the group's objectives can hamper the performance of a team. If you want to be a good team player, make sure you understand the group's goals. The key questions look like this: Why are we here? What is the 'perfect ending' to this project? What is our deadline? How often will we meet? What is our budget? Who is in charge of implementing our ideas? What roles and responsibilities will each of us have?

Create credibility
We've probably all worked with people who have made promises they didn't keep. It's frustrating when someone says one thing and does another, and it can really slow a group's progress. You can be a valuable asset to your team simply by delivering what you said you would do -- on time. For some people, it's all too easy (and, unfortunately, quite common) to make promises they can't keep. But you may really surprise and impress people by following through on what you say you'll do. If you commit to completing something for the group by the end of the day, make sure you do it. If you say you'll attend the 5.30pm meeting, be on time. Being reliable also applies to the work you do for the group. If you have high standards, people will depend on you to produce quality work. If your output is excellent one day, but only average the next, the team may regard you as being unreliable.

Keep communicating
Be involved and active within the group. If you sit silently while someone else discusses an idea that you know won't work, you could damage the team's chances of achieving its outcomes. If you've got an alternative suggestion that might be more effective, then share it with the group. If you like the idea, tell them what an inspiring idea you think it is. They might really need and appreciate your support, even if they don't show it.

Build flexibility
If you've ever worked with a team, you probably know that things can change quickly. People may join or leave the group, budgets may be reduced, or goals may be redefined. The best team players know how to be flexible. They don't fight change -- instead, they see it as a new opportunity for growth. You may find that the group members, the approaches you use, and the goals you started with have all changed by the time you've finished the job assigned to you. By staying flexible, you can take advantage of the new opportunities that arise during the project, and you'll be able to help others do the same. Your willingness to remain comfortable and positive in a constantly changing nvironment is an important business skill -- and your boss is likely to take notice of it.

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