5 Ways to Be a Better Team Player
Being someone to rely on is becoming more critical, evenin the AI era.
With all the focus on AI, it’s easy to forget that people spend about 80% of their average workday collaborating. That makes being a good team player essential to getting things done, especially as AI takes on other work.
Being a better team player at work involves combining interpersonal skills, communication, collaboration, and a positive attitude. Team members who work well together increase both productivity and the chances of success, according to various studies. “It isn’t easy to manage, building and sustaining great teams, or being a great team member, but the results are worth it,” says Val Olson Armstrong, a Korn Ferry career and leadership coach. Experts say there are a few key steps employees can take to brush up on and improve their own team skills.
Define roles and goals.
Having a clear vision of a project’s end goal and how each member will contribute is a pivotal way to start a team project. Identify each member’s strengths and play to those. “There must be acceptance of responsibility for abiding by structures and processes that are clearly understood,” says Olson Armstrong. Clearly delineating each member’s role on a project can help keep everyone on track.
Give your best effort and hold yourself accountable.
You can’t always control the outcome of your project, but you can control how hard you worked to produce it. Giving your best effort not only makes you better, but can also inspire your teammates to do the same. “On top-performing teams, success is in your teammates’ hands—and their success is in your hands,” says Adam Wood, leader for Korn Ferry’s Technology and Digital Officers practice in EMEA.
Accountability means owning the outcome, win or lose, and experts say it’s fundamental to being a great teammate. Teammates—and leaders—who hold themselves accountable create an environment where others feel safe to express concerns, make mistakes, and learn from them. “Own our weaknesses, strengthen our strengths—and constantly ask yourself what we can do better,” Wood says.
Be open-minded.
More people usually means more opinions, which can sometimes be overwhelming. But it’s important to remain open-minded to teammates’ ideas and suggestions, even if they differ from your own. Various studies show that diverse perspectives and ideas can improve innovation by 30%.
Help meet challenges and celebrate achievements.
Mistakes are inevitable, but pointing fingers doesn’t do anyone any good. Being a team player means accepting collective responsibility for individual errors within the team. Good team players also highlight fellow members’ accomplishments. Experts say this support goes a long way toward establishing trust within a team. “Trust is essential for results-focused teamwork and the enjoyment of working together,” says Olson Armstrong. Take a few moments to celebrate everyone’s contributions to a project.
Check in and network.
Regular check-ins with teammates keep a project running smoothly and improve worker engagement. Routinely touching base with partners establishes an environment where every team member can contribute their insights on the project’s progress so no one’s input is undervalued.
Be mindful of who else is around, too, says Jennifer Zamora, a Korn Ferry senior principal. “You might be in the office for a meeting with one group, but then survey who else is in that day,” she says. You might have an opportunity to meet with a colleague who works on a different team or joined the company recently.
Learn more about Korn Ferry’s Leadership and Professional Development capabilities.
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