When embarking on a new career, it’s easy to focus on your own C.V. and achievements. You’ll have spent a long time preparing for the interview process, reviewing old university work or your latest project for your current employer.
However, it’s important not to forget that recruiters are looking for someone who not only has the job skills they need but that they also need someone who will fit in with their team dynamic.
Someone willing to work alongside other team members to achieve the best overall team performance, rather than someone who thinks only of their accolades.
At CareerWise, we are experts in all things employment. Here is our guide to the top ten behavioural traits of a good team member.
Employees need to be aware of the importance of working well with their teammates when changing employment or trying to establish themselves in an existing organisation.
Employees willing to work together with other team members achieve goals more effectively, combining their skills and resources to execute work assignments and accomplish objectives.
The whole company benefits as a result, as it increases productivity in the workplace.
Management should be the first to foster team spirit in the workplace.
Management sets the tone for positive team behaviours, workplace harmony and unity. Managers should aim to establish good team behaviours, maintaining a team environment that includes everyone.
When employees are treated fairly, given meaningful work assignments, and know what is expected of them, they will more than likely perform competently and help their teammates meet job expectations as well.
Management should be the first to foster team spirit in the workplace.
Management sets the tone for positive team behaviours, workplace harmony and unity. Managers should aim to establish good team behaviours, maintaining a team environment that includes everyone.
When employees are treated fairly, given meaningful work assignments, and know what is expected of them, they will more than likely perform competently and help their teammates meet job expectations as well.
Team effectiveness is impacted by all of the team members.
Team performance relies on the success of the team leaders in fostering a sense of commitment to the tasks, as well as equality between all team members in terms of feeling valued and having their ideas and individual opinions acknowledged.
However, team leaders are not solely responsible for making the team achieve. Team members must also know and demonstrate positive team behaviours, starting with respect for their colleagues, support for other team members, and commitment to each task.
Too often, we see team members holding up their whole project, despite valuable contributions, because of their lack of skill in working as a team.
For instance, X is shy. She starts in her new role, but management doesn’t make her feel welcome. The rest of her team members don’t reach out to her either, focusing only on their current performance. Because they do not communicate well or encourage X to put forward her ideas, they don’t discover that X has key additional knowledge that could have helped them complete their task much faster.
Here’s another example. Y has a lot of experience in business and is keen to complete the team project in a few months. He ignores the advice of other team members, who warn him there are fundamental changes that they need to identify before they can succeed. Y rushes the project through too quickly, not listening to his team members – and the business fails.
Begin by making sure team members are aware of the top ten behavioural traits of good team members. Achieve team success by ingraining these team behaviours in your team today.
Team members must demonstrate behaviours that promote positive team morale. Treat others with courtesy and with respect. Pitch in on the small stuff. If you’re known as the person who always leaves the copy machine empty of paper or who takes the last cup of coffee and doesn’t start a fresh pot, your peers will be less likely to consider you part of the team.
Positive team behaviours include practising generosity, kindness, thoughtfulness, and listening skills.
Be responsible for policing yourself. Ensure you follow the rules, policies & procedures. Anything less puts the entire team at risk of chaos and damages trust.
Reliable consistent performance will be noted by your boss and build relationships with your teammates. Mistakes do happen – if it happens to you, be prepared to acknowledge where you went wrong, and learn from it next time. Take responsibility for your errors, don’t blame others.
Have the ability to admit when you are wrong.
This is an admirable trait in any team member. The inability to admit when you are wrong inhibits personal growth and impedes your team’s ability to innovate.
If you can’t say, “I was wrong,” then you’ll never get the chance to say, “You were right.”
A sincere, friendly greeting goes a long way to promote positive relationships. If I show you I’m genuinely happy to meet you, you’ll instantly start to like me.
So practice greeting colleagues properly, and asking how their day is going.
If you are a team leader, be clear and effective in all forms of communication.
Cliques, gossip, favouritism, pettiness and disrespect can destroy team morale and promote distrust. Great teams stay focused and team leaders encourage positive behaviours, problem-solving, and constructive feedback. They manage conflict, listen to concerns, and support all members in their contributions.
Team leaders have the responsibility of trying to diffuse conflict situations before they escalate into problems and report them through the appropriate channels if needed.
Both team members and leaders need to listen (non-judgmentally) and be open to complaints, concerns, and suggestions to improve team progress and relationships.
Acknowledging the importance and taking the other person’s perspective, actively listening to ensure understanding and being able to take responsibility for your behaviours help to ensure that positive interactions will be reciprocated. Issues and concerns must be addressed quickly to promote trust and harmony.
Recognise and value that our diverse backgrounds and experiences make us who we are. Every member of a team has a different personality, and different perspective on life, and may react to or interpret your behaviour differently than you expect.
Be open to other opinions, don’t always assume the worst. Treat people how “they” want to be treated, not necessarily how you want to be treated. Acknowledge other team members’ ideas, praise strong performance, and be prepared to capitulate to someone else’s expertise.
When interpersonal conflict arises (which it will) first try to talk out your concerns with the individual, privately. Make them aware that he/she is offending you. Allow him/her to correct the behaviour before assuming it is intentional.
If you cannot resolve the issue at this level, report the problem to your team leader or supervisor before it escalates any further.
Behave professionally, and recognize that inappropriate conduct impacts all members of the team, as well as the organization as a whole. Be known for your consistent principles. Accountability is key. Great teamwork begins when all team members identify a clear professional behavioural framework to operate within.
Being known as a great team player is good for your reputation.
Delivering on your promises, being focused and providing high-quality and timely outputs whilst maintaining positive relationships with your colleagues are all good individual and team behaviours that will enhance your professional reputation.
High performance begins with teamwork whether you are in the office or your team is working remotely. While each person makes a valuable contribution, by working together team members combine their skills and knowledge, creating a much stronger force capable of tackling the toughest tasks.
Here at CareerWise we are one of Ireland’s top recruitment agencies. We pride ourselves on matching the right candidate to the right role, every time. If you’re hoping to become part of a new team as the next step on your career path, get in touch today.
Whether you need advice on becoming a great team member, or you want to polish up your C.V. and interview skills, at CareerWise we are here to help.
As Ireland’s leading specialist recruiter for the engineering, supply chain, science, pharmaceutical, IT and accounting industries in Ireland, we are experts in helping talented candidates achieve their career goals. Contact us online now or call us at +353 (0) 21 206 1900 to arrange a consultation.
Joe Robbins is co-founder of CareerWise Recruitment. A graduate of the University of Limerick (Degree in Business Studies, 1985), Joe worked in the UK for five years where he specialised in materials management, production management and plant management for a number of companies.
He returned to Ireland in 1992 to become Operations Manager for a Cork-based start-up, FMC Automotive Division which was subsequently taken over by Snap-on Equipment. Joe managed the business re-location of this company to Shannon in 1997 before setting up CareerWise Recruitment in 1999.
He is a committee member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Mid-West region, and a former Director and Vice President of the Shannon Chamber of Commerce. Joe is former Chairperson of the Sixmilebridge Camogie Club and current Chairperson of the Clare County Camogie Board.
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Phone: +353 (0) 21 206 1900
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