“I’m a team player only when it is it necessary and doesn’t’ slow me down. Otherwise, I prefer working alone.”
Ada replied when asked about her preferred work structure.
“I function better in a team, but only with right kind of people that makes up the team.”
That was Renike’s response to a similar question.
You could ask thousands of people the same question and either of these responses will resurface. For many people, the question has never been whether they can work with people. Instead, it is whether the said people are kind or easy to work with.
Interestingly, many organisations place such a high priority on a potential employee being a team player. Nobody cares if the people in your team are good or kind.
Importance of Team Playing
Achieving career success has gone beyond honorary qualifications and degrees. And sadly, the first class or second class degree accolades are not enough. Team playing is the new way to fast track your way up the career ladder. The I-did-it-all-by-myself showmanship performance that earns recognition and awards is no longer rewarding
Here are a few things to bear in mind on the journey to becoming a better team player.
Listening
When it comes to working with others, it is not enough to listen by simply keeping quiet or listening to respond afterwards. Women can demonstrate the act of listening by genuinely understanding what others are saying, as well as what was not said without feeling personally attacked or diving into conclusion.
Empathy
One of the most important tools in developing peoples (the ability to interact well with others) is showing empathy. Empathy is looking past your emotions and putting yourself in the other person’s shoes. For example, instead of snapping at your team member for getting back to you later than expected, showing empathy would mean, to seek what may have caused the delay and genuinely show interest however little in the person’s well-being.
Collaboration
Women are generally known to value group support and collective effort. However, in the business world, collaboration is more about combining energy and forces with others towards an objective that’s of benefit to all players. An effective collaborator or team player motivates others when the ginger1 is low. She doesn’t work with a competitive edge but rather, with a let’s-succeed-together type of mindset.
Speak, Share
It’s easy to get lost and overshadowed in a team. Especially when you feel some people already have the say. Being a laid back member is nothing to be proud of. If you have a suggestion, contrary opinion or have information to share, please, by all means, speak up. The most effective team players contribute and add value.
Do you know any woman who stresses the team out? Send her this article with love. Or got tips for women who find it hard to perform as a team player? We are awaiting your insights in a comment below.