31 Aug Top Team Player Qualities: How to Set Yourself Apart

Whether you’ve recently joined a new team, started a new position or just want to be the best team player in your office- we know that it takes tips, time and practice to excel at being a team player. Regardless of what type of team you work in: remote, in the same office, with a dozen other people or with one other person, it will not only benefit your but your teammates as well when you make yourself a top team player. That’s why we’ve provided the following suggestions to take your team player game to A+ level.  

Celebrate Other’s Success 

Show your peers that you value them and their work by celebrating it! There are various ways to show others that you celebrate and champion their good work. Did that particular person blow a presentation out of the water? Congratulate them! Did they go above and beyond with their work? Take a moment to stop and tell them so. 

Doing so will not only improve your relationship with your teammates, but it will show honor and humility, two outstanding qualities. In addition to making others feel celebrated, you also can shift the culture of your team or office to one of well-deserved celebration and positivity. Remember, when another member of your team succeeds in the workplace, so do you. It simply means you are one step closer to completing a goal.  

Listen Well 

According to the University of Missouri, “A typical study points out that many of us spend 70 to 80 percent of our waking hours in some form of communication. Of that time, we spend about 9 percent writing, 16 percent reading, 30 percent speaking, and 45 percent listening.”

In addition, the University also states “Numerous tests confirm that we are inefficient listeners. Studies have shown that immediately after listening to a 10-minute oral presentation, the average listener has heard, understood and retained 50 percent of what was said. Within 48 hours, that drops off another 50 percent to a final level of 25 percent efficiency.” What does that mean for you? Be a good listener, then speak clearly and concisely- no one likes a rambler. Regardless of if it’s at work or other areas of life, one of the most impactful things we can do for others is to show them that we truly see them- and the easiest way to do so is to listen to them.   

Show Responsibility 

If you see that something needs to be done, be the one to step up and do the task. An article on LinkedIn states: “Responsibility drives business results. Responsible workers are more engaged and hold themselves accountable to deliver results. Responsible leaders create environments which cultivate high performance teams which in turn deliver business results.”  Don’t wait passively for others to take on the task or ask you to do so, this will help your fellow team members know that you are here to work and willing to do the hard and easy tasks. Especially if you are hoping to grow into a leadership role, taking on more responsibilities is an excellent way to show that you are capable of leadership roles!   

Another easy way to show responsibility is to ask coworkers if they need help with a project or task. Your co-workers will remember this and on future tasks be more likely to come to you for help. Plus, it’s something your leadership will likely notice because you weren’t sitting by passively and waiting for someone to tell you what to do. 

Follow Up 

Has it been a while since you heard an update on a project or proposal? Rather than waiting for someone to reach out to you, take the initiative to follow up with your peers to make sure you’re all on the same page and see how you can best contribute to move the project along- regardless of the stage that you’re in. Doing so will show your responsibility and commitment to the project as well as help create a cemented end goal.  

Know Your Gifts- Then Use Them 

Are you a good leader? Can you make a spreadsheet sing? Do you love to bring doughnuts into work for everyone? Knowing what your strengths and gifts are—and then utilizing them for the benefit of your team will help build trust, and let others fall into their giftings as well. In addition, seek out new ways to grow and champion skills at work: When you see opportunities to learn new skills, go for it! If there is something in the company you want to learn to do and you see an opportunity to learn those skills in a special project or a new assignment, make it known and then use those skills to help your team advance and grow. 

Take Action

Each team member should have a clear plan for improving their skills to allow them to best contribute to the overall team’s efforts and plans. Don’t just say that you’ll get better at a particular skill or task but take actions that will support your growth and ability to support your team to the best of your ability. If you are working on a project, make sure you’ve thought ahead. Once that project or task is done, you don’t want others sitting around wondering what the plan is. By thinking ahead, you are given time to make plans for whatever your next task or project is and help form a plan that can be effectively implemented. 

Above all, recognize that your team members are also trying to fulfill their roles, and consider how you can support them. Take the time to get to know your team and you will be able to work more seamlessly with them. We hope these tips and resources serve you well! For more tips on how to be a great team player, check out our blog page! If you are looking to join a new team or industry, we invite you to look into our open opportunities and apply with us today!