Many of us are excellent performers at work, but when we work individually; very few are good team players. Getting along with other employees and working in unison towards a given objective are what employers look for. Some are comfortable in team work and some are not. But surely one can be groomed into a team player. In professional dictionary getting along with other colleagues and working together is called ‘Team Play’.

Nowadays every working environment is divided into groups or teams, who work together. Every team comprises of friendly people, aggressive and hostile people; people whom you like and people whom you hate. People will hold opinions about you too and there lies the challenge. You have to work with enemies and yet under the mask of professional friendliness you have to be together, work together and share things. Such alliance is the base of team work. Employers seek people who come forth with a good positive attitude and readiness to work in a group achieving organizational goals.

Here are some valuable sets of criteria that employers list while judging the ability of ‘Team Play’.

Attentive Listener

One important aspect of good team player is attentive, patient listening to other speakers and ability to incorporate the messages into one assimilated thought. A good team player pays attention towards others views, opinions, ideas; even if they may contradict his own. One has to be open minded, flexible, respectful to others.

Communication is important

Inter-personal communication within the team is most important for success of any project. Team players should share all important information exactly in the same way it has been received. Such communication can take place by email and passing the carbon copy (cc) to the relevant people. Communication can take any channel as per the company’s structure and policies.

Cooperative & Amiable Attitude

An ideal team player prefers to lend a hand of cooperation rather than competing with other fellow team members. They get motivated by others success, and do not end up competing with them. They get inspired and learn from others success stories.

Optimistic & Joyous

A positive mined, enthusiast, happy team player is always greeted with open arms. Such person generates positive vibes and optimism. He is always in center of attraction; drawing team mates towards him, encouraging sharing of things. An optimist learns from mistakes and moves towards a better future. They don’t fall weak in front of failures. They stay away from complaining, making excuses, blaming others and fostering negativity. Instead they own others mistakes and held own success as success of the team. Such attitude makes them win faith and hearts of all team associates.

Flexibility

In today’s working condition, flexibility and open-mindedness are important. Growth is impaired when one approaches new concepts or changes with rigidity and negative attitude. Welcome changes with open arms and adapt to it. Changes bring growth.

Conflict Negotiator

An ideal team player knows how to handle hostile situations like conflicts, verbal disputes, aggressions and the like. They can resolve tense situations with an ease. Expert team player can arrive at a mutually compromising and mutually satisfying decision, without being partial towards any one party.

Helpful

Always lend a helping hand to other fellow members of your team. A helpful person is always looked up to, admired and loved by all. A helpful team player is always an asset for the team.

Not all are born as a good team player. But by following the given tips one can easily groom oneself into an ideal team player.