Phenomenal Friday-Working Under The Pressure of Non-Team Players

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“Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision, the ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.”  ~Andrew Carnegie

I have years of experience in the workforce, from business owner to supervisor, manager and now Admin. It’s no secret that the success of any organisation or business hinges on their employees effectively working as a team. Teamwork is no doubt greater than that of working as an individual because each member of that team has their own skills to bring to the table which enhances those of their colleagues. There is, however, that odd occasion when one member of the team steps out into dictatorship role where they tend to undermine the efforts of other team members.

I’m all too familiar with working under the pressure of non-team players and it makes me uncomfortable because it puts a lot of stress on the team when one person assumes dictatorship role. The manager side of me wants to speak up but the team player side of me, says let it go because I know what adjusting into a new role is like, it took me some time to jump in and out of roles.  But it is important to understand the benefits of teamwork and also the appreciation of the contributions of your team members.

Sandler Training list 6 benefits of Teamwork, 4 of which I’ve listed below
1. Fosters Creativity and Learning
Creativity thrives when people work together on a team. Brainstorming ideas as a group prevents stale viewpoints that often come out of working solo. Combining unique perspectives from each team member creates more effective selling solutions.

What you have learned from your individual experiences is entirely different from your coworkers. Thus, teamwork also maximizes shared knowledge in the workplace and helps you learn new skills you can use for the rest of your career.

Collaborating on a project creates an enthusiasm for learning that solitary work usually lacks. Being able to share discoveries with the rest of your team excites employees and fosters both individual and team knowledge.

2. Blends Complementary Strengths
Working together lets employees build on the talents of their teammates. While your strength may be creative thinking, a coworker might shine in organization and planning. Do not hesitate to share your abilities with the team.

Often, a team works well together because team members rely on each other to bring individual talents to the table. By observing the process behind these skills, you can learn how to combine your gifts and become a stronger team.

Every time you see your coworkers utilize a different approach in sales, you have a chance to adjust or improve your methods.

3. Builds Trust
Relying on other people builds trust, and teamwork establishes strong relationships with coworkers. Despite occasional disagreements, an effective team enjoys working together and shares a strong bond. When you put your trust in a coworker, you are establishing the foundation of a relationship that can endure minor conflicts.

Trusting your teammates also provides a feeling of safety that allows ideas to emerge. It helps employees open up and encourage each other. Open communication is key when working on a team and produces effective solutions in difficult group projects.

Without trust, a team crumbles and cannot succeed on assigned projects. Great teams build each other up and strengthen individual members to create a cohesive group. By working together, employees learn that wins and losses affect everyone on the team. Teamwork necessitates confidence in each other’s distinct abilities.

4. Promotes a Wider Sense of Ownership
Team projects encourage employees to feel proud of their contributions. Tackling obstacles and creating notable work together makes team members feel fulfilled. Working toward achieving company goals allows employees to feel connected to the company. This builds loyalty, leading to a higher level of job satisfaction among employees.

Teamwork is not just helpful for employees. It benefits the employer in the long run as well. Employees that connect directly with their workplace are more likely to stay with the company. While employees leaving their jobs often cite a lacking salary, another common complaint is that their contributions do not seem to matter. Teamwork allows people to engage with the company and add to the bigger picture.

From past experience, I’ve found that non-team players often have little understanding of what they’re part is as a team player because they’re so used to being in sole decision making roles. For instance, my going from being a business owner and making the final decision for my business to being a Manager of a local business which meant having to dialogue with the business owners and passing that information onto the various teams within that organization. Then later being a direct team member meant taking instructions from my office manager on what the goals of the department were. Jumping roles isn’t easy, it takes skill to be able to transition from role to the next, something many people could find it difficult to do. So what happens when one team member decides to assume a role of dictatorship? Gently reaffirm the role of the team within the organisation by discussing the position of other team members. If you feel yourself being pushed out of the team, let your voice be heard. Let other members know how you feel about not having your views respected.

This was my contribution to Debbie’s Forgiving Friday series, where she writes about and invite others to share their thoughts on Forgiveness, Self-Love and Personal Growth. Debbie, thank you and I am so grateful for the opportunity to contribute to your blog.

~Happy Friday

©Etta D. Richards

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