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Human
May 2014 ISSUE
How to be an effective team
player in the workplace
Being known as a great team
player is good for your reputation. Delivering on your
promises, providing high quality, timely outputs and maintaining positive relationships
with your peers,superviors
and clients are all good individual and team behaviors
that will enhance your professional reputation. In today’s society we are all challenged with many jobs duties
and responsibilities that
sometimes need assistance
from your peers in the workplace. Some employees are
used to completing their task
by themselves or have mixed
emotions about asking for
assistance . We need to ask
ourselves “is this the right
approach to take?” Some will
say yes, and others will say
no. The key behaviors that
we must keep in mind, if we
want to be great team players. Please see below a list
of everyday behaviors that
we can use in the work place
as we push ourselves to become the ideal team players
(1)Team members must
demonstrate behaviors that
promote positive team morale. Take time for courtesy
and treat each other with
respect. (2) Each individual
has the responsibility for
policing themselves and ensuring that he/she follows
the rules, policies and procedures. Anything less ,puts
the entire team at risk for
chaos and damaged trust.
When trust is damaged in
the team relationship, recognize that it may take time to
repair, which may delay progress towards the goals. (3)
It is the responsibility of all
team members, and in particular team leader to ensure
that the environment promotes open dialogue and support. Clear and effective
communication is a requirement for team success.
Cliques,gossip,favoritism,
pettiness and disrespect, can
destroy team morale and
promote team mistrust.
“Teamwork divides the task and multiplies
the success” Author unknown
(4) Recognize that our diverse backgrounds and experiences make us who we are
and can contribute to misunderstandings. Be open to
other options and open to
listening. Treat people how
"they” want to be treated,
not necessarily how you want
to be treated.(5) When interpersonal conflicts arise
(and they will) ,first try to
talk out your concerns with
the individual, privately. Ensure that the offending party is aware that he/she is
offending you. It is not expected that everyone on the
team/department will be
best friends inside or outside the work environment.
It is expected that team
members will behave professionally, recognizing that
inappropriate conduct impacts all members of the
team and the center .
Qualities of an effective team player

Demonstrates reliability

Communicates constructively

Listens actively

Functions as an active participant

Cooperates and
pitches in to help