The 17 Essential Qualities of a Team Player

The 17 Essential Qualities of a Team Player

We’re Stylin’ Now…

The Compass An Informal Leadership Style Inventory WHAT? North, South, East or West WHY? To understand the leadership style of all members of our team HOW? Read each direction and decide which one best describes you. Proceed to the section of the room labeled with that compass direction

No one style is best…just different!

O Differences are valuable. O Each type has different: O preferences O strengths O weaknesses O points of view.

At times differences can create difficulties and clashes, but when we understand our differences, we can find ways to work together and turn those differences into strengths!

NORTH O You take charge O You have lists of things to do and you need to get started and get them done. O You get assignments in early. O You don’t have to ask questions to begin your work or assignment. O You drive the work and get it done. O You stitch the mosaic together and do the work

EAST O You have the big picture, the frame that needs to be filled in. O You need to see the final product and will work with the end in mind. O You believe in working backwards, understanding by design. O You don’t get a project started until you are clear about the final product. O You know what the mosaic looks like in the end.

WEST O You ask the hard questions. O You live by inquiry. O You challenge us to identify the details. O You don’t start a project until you are clear about the details. O You make the picture more complete. O You lead by inquiry and engage in thoughtful discourse. O You fill in the details of the mosaic.

SOUTH O You take in the information, slow us down, and O O O make sure everyone has voice and is heard. You include everyone, and make sure the human side is nurtured. You take care of us and bring up our affective domain. You make sure the emotional side of our work is heard. You make sure we are all included. You add beauty to the mosaic, make sure everyone participates in the creation, and keep all comfortable.

NORTH: “Just do it!” O Gifts: O Goal/task focused O Moves toward action O Thinks in terms of bottom line O Enjoys challenge of difficult situations O Perseveres, not stopped by obstacles O Enjoys assuming leadership role O In Excess: O Decision making not well thought out O Can grow impatient O Can be impulsive, disregard practicalities O Can step on toes, hurt other’s feelings O May have difficulty delegating. Just do it!

EAST: “If you can dream it, you can do it!” O Gifts: Visionary Big picture thinker Idea oriented, creative and innovative Insight into mission & purpose Very optimistic, positive attitude Enjoys exploration and experimentation Appreciates a lot of information O In Excess: O Often loses focus O Can have poor follow-through O Lacks attention to detail O Is not bound by time, may miss deadlines O Tends to be enthusiastic early on, but may get bored over the long haul. O O O

WEST: “Quality is job #1!” O Gifts: O Critical thinker, explores all sides O Decision making based on data & logic O Viewed as practical and thorough O Introspective and self-analytical O Skilled at finding ‘fatal flaws’ O Detail, planning focus O In Excess: O Can become locked into a position O Can be indecisive, slow to take action O Gets mired in details (analysis paralysis) O Can seem withdrawn, distant O May seem to resist change.

SOUTH: “Reach out and touch someone!” O Gifts: O People oriented O Value-driven O Interaction and relationship are primary O Team player, builds on ideas of others O Good listener, very supportive O Decision-making based on intuition O In Excess: O May have trouble saying no O Can be taken advantage of easily O Often internalizes anger, assumes blame O Is focused on present, not the big picture O May have difficulty dealing with conflict.

HOW TO WORK WITH A NORTH O Present your case clearly, concisely and with confidence O Share how they will be involved O Talk about the ‘challenge’ of the task O Provide plenty of autonomy O Stick with established timelines O Give positive public recognition

HOW TO WORK WITH AN EAST O Show interest and enthusiasm for ideas O Listen and be patient during idea generation O Avoid critical judgment of ideas O Allow and support divergent thinking O Provide variety of tasks O Provide support and supervision, checkins on details, and project follow through

HOW TO WORK WITH A WEST O Allow time for decision making O Provide all significant data O Don’t be put off by critical statements O Use logic-based arguments O Appeal to tradition and procedure

HOW TO WORK WITH A SOUTH O Pay attention to relationship issues O Justify decisions around values and ethics O Allow expression of feeling/intuition in logical argument O Be aware that he/she may have trouble saying ‘no’ O Provide positive reassurances O Let him/her know that you like him/her

Great teams don’t just happen!

Understand, notice, and then EMBRACE the process!

Expect stress

FORMING O Conflict avoidance O Focus on similarities O Ignore or gloss over differences/disagreements to ‘play nice’ O Can lead to polarization and fragmentation O Clarity issues arise O Roles are changing O People are in the learning phase

TEAM’S TASK OEstablish rules OUse agendas OClarify expectations

STORMING O Frustration/disagreement O Significant conflicts may arise (leadership, power, control, influence, feeling stuck) O Can lead to polarization and fragmentation O Common to retreat to the safety of forming O Some members may retreat into isolation O CAUTION: Politeness substitutes for

TEAM’S TASK OWork at understanding one another OAddress issues OClarify expectations

NORMING O Team starts resolving conflicts, negotiating disagreements, establishing norms of beavior O Individuals begin to remove their own barriers to communication – let go of defensive stance O Team members begin to look at what’s best for the system as a whole – work toward consensus

TEAM’S TASK OMembers openly identify and address their individual issues OPersonal agendas are replaced by the team’s agenda (put it on the table)

PERFORMING O Team members has realistic expectations O Major conflicts resolved and norms are continually clarified, as needed O Competitiveness gives way to cooperation – close and supportive O Diversity of opinion is respected and honored as valuable O Leadership is spontaneous and comes from anyone on the team

TEAM’S TASK OCelebrate! ONote if you find yourselves taking a step back, acknowledge the process and address