Knowing the qualities of a strong team player is the key to developing your other employees.
Organizations thrive because of their employees. Having a strong team is an essential component of any strategic plan and must be an element of the blueprint for success. How can managers identify the qualities of great team players and use that insight to develop their other employees? Knowing those qualities is key.
Here are three qualities you’ll find in employees who are strong team players:
Reliability
Strong team players are reliable and won’t let the team down. They get the job done within deadline and budget, and are consistent in delivering quality work. They have integrity and follow-through while maintaining positive relationships with others on the team.
Commitment
Strong team players make sacrifices for the good of the entire team. They make working with others a priority and are passionate in what they do. They go above and beyond what is expected and encourage others on the team to do the same.
Quick to adapt
Strong team players recognize what needs to be done and do it. They have no problems picking up the slack for others when they know a job needs to be done. They rarely complain and are flexible when quick changes come their way.
Suggestions for developing your team
You can develop a strong team that will help move the company forward while being progressive enough to strategically plan for the future. Here are a few suggestions for developing your team:
Take your time.
It could take some time to figure out which team members are strong and which ones diminish the strength of the team. Take the time to properly assess each member of the team and see where reinforcements are needed. Is this person in a role that they’re naturally wired to do both behaviorally and cognitively? If not, maybe they’d benefit from training or a lateral move.
Communicate.
Communication is one of the most important elements of a strong team. This helps get everyone on the same page with the same information and expectations. Transparency is very important. This helps create a more productive environment and opens the workflow so that everyone can operate together. Everyone should be able to express their opinions and thoughts without fear of reprimand. There should be openness and a culture of “your opinion counts.” This helps each team member feel that their contributions matter.
Set goals.
The team should have short and long-term goals to achieve. This will give them something to work toward together, and provides a realistic picture of what they are working for. Having a clear directive provides an opportunity for everyone to come together and strategically decide how they will accomplish the task.
Celebrate.
It is important to celebrate the successes of your individual team members and of the collective team. Even the strongest team needs motivation. Verbalizing how well they work together and when a good job was done not only enhances their morale but also demonstrates to the team that management cares about their progression and their success.
Utilizing these elements will set you up for success as you develop team members that are effective, efficient, and productive–the core elements of a successful collaboration.
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