How to Be a Team Player
Leaders set the stage for an organization’s culture, results, and success. But what about team members? Over the course of our careers, most of us will spend more time as a member than as the leader. And we all know that teams get the work done.
In today’s business environment, we will see team members laid off, deal with challenging personal issues, celebrate successes—all the things. And now that we are more remote than before, building and maintaining those relationships requires new skills. So what does it mean to be a good team member in the workplace? Well, it all starts with you.
Know and commit to the company culture you are joining. Sometimes we get caught up in what an organization is supposed to be or its reputation versus what it actually is in practice. When you’re new, take the time to talk to employees and managers to understand what really matters at the company, how it shows up in the workplace, and how it matches with your needs.
For example: Many employees tell me they are looking for a mission-driven or values-based organization. Mission and values will vary in both definition and implementation. You need to be clear on what these words mean to you.
Support your fellow team members in the way that works best for them. This is a big one, and it can be applied to life outside of work as well. Colleagues will experience terrible loss, layoffs, marriage, promotions, and a whole host of other life/work changes. Take the time to understand what they need. In times of joy, and especially in challenging times, it’s about their needs, not yours.
For example: You love birthdays and want to have a birthday celebration for every team member. Many people do not want to celebrate their birthday, or maybe they just do not want to celebrate with you, at work. Honor that. Your desire to support someone in your preferred way should not supersede their preferences.
Do your job well. I know this seems obvious, but one of the best ways you can be an awesome team member is to do the work you have been assigned in a timely manner. Make it good, my friends! This is especially important when you are looking for a new role or just plain tired of the one you are in. In these times, it is even more critical to stay the course and stay committed to the team.
Advocate for your team members. Team member feedback and support can be very powerful. Let your colleagues know when they have done a great job, and share that good work with others outside the team. Support your team members if their message or ideas are not heard in meetings; create space for sharing ideas and learning diverse perspectives across the team. You do not have to wait for your manager to make this happen.
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Be honest. Team members will struggle. They may not be doing their job well. They may be creating tension on the team through their words or actions. For many of us, confronting these issues can be challenging. We may wait and hope our manager or HR will handle it, and that may be the most prudent approach, especially if your company culture suggests issues are handled by managers/HR only. But if you have the opportunity to share “constructive” feedback (HR buzzword for negative feedback), I encourage you to try. Sometimes it can be easier to get feedback from a peer or team member than a boss.
Here’s how: If you notice a team member’s work start to slide, ask them about it—“How are you?” or “Is everything OK?” You could try, “I’ve noticed you’re not engaged in the work the way you used to be.” I can’t guarantee it will go well every time, but I can say that learning to share honest feedback when it is welcomed can be a great skill.
Know when it’s time to go. It’s hard to work with someone who doesn’t want to be there. Their negative views can seep into your positive view of the job. And if you also are hating the work, “misery loves company” can kick in and create an even more untenable situation. Be thoughtful about how your actions, words, and even nonverbals can affect those around you. Team members spend a lot of time together, even when we are remote. Accept when it is time to find something new and then act.
I hope you’ll talk about this with your team. It can be a great discussion that leads to even better teaming!
