A Lean Journey 
Highly
empowered and effective teams are the key to compete in today’s world of high
technology processes, six sigma quality, and continuous innovation. We all have
roles in our organizations but it is the power of teamwork that makes our
endeavors successful. It takes everyone working together on a common goal to be
successful in Lean. Teams are the engines that deliver successful process
improvements.
We’ve all been
told the cliché that there is no ‘I’ in ‘TEAM.’ That boils down to the type of
teammates we’re surrounded by. Teams need strong team players to perform well.
But what does it take to be a part of a team? Here are 10 traits to become a
better team player.
told the cliché that there is no ‘I’ in ‘TEAM.’ That boils down to the type of
teammates we’re surrounded by. Teams need strong team players to perform well.
But what does it take to be a part of a team? Here are 10 traits to become a
better team player.
1. Selflessness
This is my No.
1 attribute to being a good team player. It should never be “me, me, me” or “I,
I, I” but instead always be “we” or “us.” Every employee should be asking,
“What can I bring to my team?” as opposed to “What can the team bring me?”
1 attribute to being a good team player. It should never be “me, me, me” or “I,
I, I” but instead always be “we” or “us.” Every employee should be asking,
“What can I bring to my team?” as opposed to “What can the team bring me?”
If we’re
focused on individual goals all the time, we’re not going to achieve anything
as a whole. Instead, focus on team-oriented goals, even if one of those goals
is that we all get better individually.
focused on individual goals all the time, we’re not going to achieve anything
as a whole. Instead, focus on team-oriented goals, even if one of those goals
is that we all get better individually.
2. Communication
This means
communicating with your managers and your colleagues. Technology is a wonderful
thing, and it serves a lot of purposes, but a lot of times we rely on it too
much. Put the phone down and talk face-to-face with your colleagues. Have a conversation
with them. That can translate to better communication in the office, which is
key to any successful team. Regular communication fosters collaborative
interactions among leaders, stakeholders, and practitioners at all levels.
communicating with your managers and your colleagues. Technology is a wonderful
thing, and it serves a lot of purposes, but a lot of times we rely on it too
much. Put the phone down and talk face-to-face with your colleagues. Have a conversation
with them. That can translate to better communication in the office, which is
key to any successful team. Regular communication fosters collaborative
interactions among leaders, stakeholders, and practitioners at all levels.
3.
Accountability
Accountability
Accountability
is an agreement to be held to account for some result. You can assign
accountability between yourself and others, but responsibility can only be
self-generated.
is an agreement to be held to account for some result. You can assign
accountability between yourself and others, but responsibility can only be
self-generated.
Everyone is
afraid to make mistakes, and people don’t want to be labeled the guy who makes
mistakes, but we need to let it be known that it’s OK to fail a bit. It’s OK to
make these mistakes and own up to them. Be accountable.
afraid to make mistakes, and people don’t want to be labeled the guy who makes
mistakes, but we need to let it be known that it’s OK to fail a bit. It’s OK to
make these mistakes and own up to them. Be accountable.
4. Passion
Passion is the
driving force that enables people to attain far more than they ever imagined.
Your energy is contagious and is easily shared. Passion will bridge moments of
weakness, and will drive you past your failures while reaching for your goals.
Passion radiates from you and is easily detected by others.
driving force that enables people to attain far more than they ever imagined.
Your energy is contagious and is easily shared. Passion will bridge moments of
weakness, and will drive you past your failures while reaching for your goals.
Passion radiates from you and is easily detected by others.
5. Confidence
It’s important
to have confidence in yourself, but it’s more important to have confidence in
your colleagues and your managers. Have confidence
that your team members will bring their best to the team, and have confidence
that together you will have great success.
to have confidence in yourself, but it’s more important to have confidence in
your colleagues and your managers. Have confidence
that your team members will bring their best to the team, and have confidence
that together you will have great success.
Have confidence
in your leader to bring the group together as a team and confidence in his or
her leadership.
in your leader to bring the group together as a team and confidence in his or
her leadership.
6. Be
Respectful
Respectful
No matter where
you come from, or what your differences are, you have a common bond in that
you’re on the same team. You have to put aside any differences that you might
have and respect that person. Showing respect in the workplace is all about the
relationship we develop with other people and how we value them. You guys are
trying to achieve a common goal. You have to respect your colleagues enough to
get there. You can’t be pulling in different directions on the rope.
you come from, or what your differences are, you have a common bond in that
you’re on the same team. You have to put aside any differences that you might
have and respect that person. Showing respect in the workplace is all about the
relationship we develop with other people and how we value them. You guys are
trying to achieve a common goal. You have to respect your colleagues enough to
get there. You can’t be pulling in different directions on the rope.
7. Trusting
This has
everything to do with trusting that your colleagues are going to do the right
thing. Sometimes you see some colleagues trying to do too much or do someone else’s
job, and they’re eventually hurting the team in general. Trust people to do
their best and trust them to do it right. Allow them to make mistakes without
retribution.
everything to do with trusting that your colleagues are going to do the right
thing. Sometimes you see some colleagues trying to do too much or do someone else’s
job, and they’re eventually hurting the team in general. Trust people to do
their best and trust them to do it right. Allow them to make mistakes without
retribution.
8. Positive
Attitude
Attitude
Having the
right attitude can make the difference between success and failure. A positive
attitude can motivate other people to change their negative thinking and come
over to your side. Everything is possible with right attitude behind you to
push you forward.
right attitude can make the difference between success and failure. A positive
attitude can motivate other people to change their negative thinking and come
over to your side. Everything is possible with right attitude behind you to
push you forward.
9.
Dependability
Dependability
You need to be
a reliable person. It’s being committed to part of the team and buying in to
what the team is doing. When you don’t show up, you’re letting the team down in
a sense. You want to be that guy to rely on to show up and work hard every
time.
a reliable person. It’s being committed to part of the team and buying in to
what the team is doing. When you don’t show up, you’re letting the team down in
a sense. You want to be that guy to rely on to show up and work hard every
time.
10. Have Fun
Getting
energized about work usually results from a couple things. Primarily if a work
culture is fun to be in, it’s a place you look forward to going because the
people (and leadership) are authentic, caring and fun. And teams that are
energized with what they are doing get excited by the opportunities that a day
may bring.
energized about work usually results from a couple things. Primarily if a work
culture is fun to be in, it’s a place you look forward to going because the
people (and leadership) are authentic, caring and fun. And teams that are
energized with what they are doing get excited by the opportunities that a day
may bring.
Organizations
that cultivate a culture of teamwork generally outperform their more
individualistic competitors. Frequently, this leads to a virtuous cycle of
self-improvement, as success breeds enthusiasm, which breeds better teamwork,
which breeds yet more success. For this reason, teamwork is important for
creating a healthy, prosperous organization.
that cultivate a culture of teamwork generally outperform their more
individualistic competitors. Frequently, this leads to a virtuous cycle of
self-improvement, as success breeds enthusiasm, which breeds better teamwork,
which breeds yet more success. For this reason, teamwork is important for
creating a healthy, prosperous organization.
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