job expectations<\/a>\u00a0as well.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Behavioural traits of an effective team<\/h3>\n
Team effectiveness is impacted by all of the team members.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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Examples of common team member behaviours<\/h3>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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How to create a high-performance team<\/h3>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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Top Ten Behavioural Traits Of A Good Team Member<\/h2>\n\n- \n
Effective team behaviours<\/h3>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Positive team behaviours include practising generosity, kindness, thoughtfulness, and listening skills.<\/li>\n
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Buy into accountability<\/h3>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/li>\n
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Be prepared to take constructive criticism<\/h3>\n
Have the ability to admit when you are wrong.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
If you can’t say, \u201cI was wrong<\/em><\/strong>,\u201d then you’ll never get the chance to say, \u201cYou were right<\/em><\/strong>.\u201d<\/li>\n- \n
Collaborative efforts start with a friendly hello<\/h3>\n
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.<\/p>\n
So practice greeting colleagues properly, and asking how their day is going.<\/li>\n
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Poor communication leads to poor performance<\/h3>\n
If you are a team leader, be clear and effective in all forms of communication.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/li>\n
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Paying attention is key<\/h3>\n
Both team members and leaders need to listen (non-judgmentally) and be open to complaints, concerns, and suggestions to improve team progress and relationships.<\/p>\n
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.<\/li>\n
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Respect colleagues’ diversity for team success<\/h3>\n
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.<\/li>\n
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Recognize other team members’ opinions<\/h3>\n
Be open to other opinions, don’t always assume the worst. Treat people how \u201cthey\u201d 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.<\/li>\n
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Calm conflict resolution leads to a positive work environment<\/h3>\n
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.<\/p>\n
If you cannot resolve the issue at this level, report the problem to your team leader or supervisor before it escalates any further.<\/li>\n
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A high-performing team is professional and principled. There’s no “I” in “teamwork”!<\/h3>\n
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.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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