Being in the Ukraine last June for the European Soccer Championships (Euro 2012), I was amazed by Spain. Their ability to pass, their unselfishness, their anticipation -- all elements of an exceptionally good "futbol" team. They make the complex look simple because of their ability to work together so effectively. Each person knows their part and fits in seamlessly.
Of course, then there is my beloved University of North Carolina Tarheels basketball team. For decades, they have epitomized the whole idea of team. In fact, ESPN just named them the greatest basketball program of the last 50 years (an amazing accomplishment when you consider that UCLA won 10 championships during that period). For one of the best books there is on teams, coaching, and leadership, see The Carolina Way, by Dean Smith.
The reality is, we are all part of teams. Whether it be in sports, in our business, in our organization, in our church, in our schools, or in our community. As a leaders (and if you have influence over anyone, you are a leader!), it’s equally important for us to know how to follow and be a great team member as it is how to lead and be a team leader.
In fact, in my partnering work seen above through REACT Services, we teach that to be an effective leader, you must first be a great teammate. In the 21st Century, great leaders are, almost without exception, great teammates.
So what does it take to be a great team member? Here are a few things to consider.
1. Good teammates finish well. They know how to score. They get the job done and fulfill their promises. In the words of Seth Godin, "they ship," or send things to press, by regularly taking projects across the finish line.
2. Good teammates can anticipate. As it is with a good soccer player, they understand and "see" what needs to be done next. They are always looking for ways to make the team process better. The exceptionally talented can see plays two and three steps ahead (like a good chess player).
3. Good teammates can be trusted. They embody integrity. When given an assignment, you can be assured that it will get done -- or that communication about the reasons why it didn't will happen. They do what they say they will do.
4. Good teammates have a healthy view of conflict. A healthy view of conflict means that any disagreement (however volatile) is seen as an opportunity for deeper relationship and understanding. Good teams do not tolerated passive aggressive behavior (basically, being passive aggressive is doing something specifically to get people angry under the cover of, "I didn't realize it would bother you").
5. Good teammates promote the team vision. They take on, and live out, the vision and mission of their leader, and of the organization. You can tell how well team vision has been embedded from how team members respond when others on the team are chosen for assignments they wanted. An effective teammate understands and promotes the "there is no 'I' in team" mentality.
6. Good teammates make their leader better. They know when to push their leader, and know how to appropriately and intentionally challenge them. Concurrently, a good team leader creates and nurtures a culture that allows those voices.
7. Good teammates make their other teammates better. They know how to peer-lead and also can lead across in an organization. They don’t rely on the leader to be the only one motivating the team, or being the only one holding other teammates accountable.
8. Good teammates lead themselves. They don’t need to be micro-managed, and aren’t needy. They don’t need all the attention from the team. They are learners. The embrace constructive evaluation - both from others on the team and the team leader.
There are so many other elements that need to be included. What aspects of being a good teammate can you add to this list?
