The idea of being a good team player might seem like a lot of hot air, typically spewed by sports coaches. After all, nearly every American knows who Kobe Bryant is, but they might not be able to name all the players who helped him win his NBA playoff rings. The truth is, Kobe Bryant would never take on an opposing team all by himself, and you cannot succeed at work all by yourself, either. These steps can help you get off the bench and become a star on the court-with a little help from your colleagues, of course:
Ask for help. You cannot do it all, and a coworker might know something about a project that you don't. You won't find out unless you ask for assistance. Also don't be afraid to ask your boss to bring new staff on board if that is what it takes to finish a project. It might take some time to get your colleague up to speed on the work, but chances are you will finish it much faster.
Learn a little about everyone's job. Expanding your knowledge base is never a time-waster if you are on a team. If your colleague gets sick or has a family emergency, you can pitch in. You may think it is wise to make yourself indispensable by keeping one important task to yourself, and but the boss won't be happy if an important task wasn't completed because you were called away and no one could fill in.
Handle slackers with care. Do you have a team member who stands to the side while the rest of you do the heavy lifting? Be prepared to pick up that slack, and try not to complain about it. This is easier said than done, but, if your team fails because you were trying to teach the slacker a lesson, everyone else on the team will look like a slacker, and all of you will suffer. A true slacker will not survive in your office. If layoffs happen, the slacker is often the first to go.
Know your strengths. Teams are often assembled based on individual skills. If you are especially good at one aspect of your work, then sharpen those skills as much as possible so you are known for that talent. Then let others know about that skill. For example, if you have a hobby related to your skill, such as building iPhone apps, share the news with others, and show off your work. If your company has an idea for an iPhone app, they will turn to you.
Put the company first. Even on reality television, where friendships turn sour in a heartbeat as contestants pursue a cash prize, people must band together to win challenges and advance their teams. They succeed on an individual level only if they have been able to prove they can succeed on a team level. In this case, life definitely imitates art.
Share the kudos. When you are singled out for a job well done, imagine that you are an Oscar winner. You don't need to go on until the orchestra plays, but thank everyone else on your team, and make a conscious effort not to leave anyone out. Your ability to spread good karma will be noticed.
 | Being a team player has less to do with the actual tasks you take on and more to do with how you interact with your team, including your manager, to get those tasks done. |
 | The importance of teamwork across departments cannot be emphasized enough. Consider building teamwork skills as you plan your next quarter, and you'll see the following benefits in all departments. |
 | Truly effective teamwork can lead to improved productivity, better morale and beneficial cooperation. Try out any of these 11 paths to effective teamwork as you build a happier, more efficient work group. |
The benefits of teamwork are undeniable; when employees work well together, the company as a whole benefits. These are the concrete results to watch for as you focus on building teamwork in your department. |
Many people in the workplace, regardless of their level of professional experience need to analyze how much they serve as a team player. Many of us view ourselves as team players when in the end our colleagues don't view us in that same way. |
