
Jun 19, 2018 ● Eric Titner
3 qualities that will make you an effective team player
The term “team player” is so often used as an essential professional attribute that it’s become a well-worn cliché—but that doesn’t make it any less of a valuable skill to have if you want to be successful at work, regardless of your occupation or industry.
Being able to work well with others and being regarded by your colleagues as an effective team player can lead to a wealth of promising career opportunities—people will tend to seek you out when assembling teams for projects (which are more likely to be successful when the members of your team work well together), peers and superiors will turn to you for collaborations that can enhance your visibility and profile, you’ll increase your chances of impressing your colleagues, and others will want to support you and celebrate your success as you climb your personal career ladder.
Although some folks seem to be able to work well with others no matter what the situation or mix of personalities they find themselves in, for others it’s not quite that simple. The truth is, not everyone is a natural team player, but everyone can become one with a little effort.
Yes, your work environment and the nature of the work you do will go a long way towards dictating what makes an effective team player in your world, but there are some fundamental personal qualities that most effective team players seem to possess—and use—to their advantage when opportunities to collaborate arise. Do you possess the following 3 qualities? If so, then be sure to use them to your advantage at work, and keep them polished and sharp. If not, consider building these skills to maximize your chances of achieving success.