Characteristics of a good team and team member
Characteristics of a good team
- Everyone participates actively and positively in meetings and projects.
- Team goals are understood by everyone.
- Individual members have thought hard about creative solutions to the problem.
- Members are carefully listened to and receive thoughtful feedback.
- Everyone takes initiative to get things done.
- Each teammate trusts the judgement of the others.
- The team is willing to take risks.
- Everyone is supportive of the project and of others.
- There is plenty of communication between team members.
- Team decisions are made using organized, logical methods.
- Full team acceptance is expected as decisions are made.
- Dissenting opinions are recorded, and may be revisited if future situations dictate.
- Team goals are given realistic time frames.
- Everyone is focused on the ultimate goal of the project, while also digging into the underlying details.
Characteristics of a good team member
- Works for consensus on decisions
- Shares openly and authentically with others regarding personal feelings, opinions, thoughts, and perceptions about problems and conditions
- Involves others in the decision-making process
- Trusts, supports, and has genuine concern for other team members
- “Owns” problems rather than blaming them on others
- When listening, attempts to hear and interpret communication from other’s points of view
- Influences others by involving them in the issue(s)
- Encourages the development of other team members
- Respects and is tolerant of individual differences
- Acknowledges and works through conflict openly
- Considers and uses new ideas and suggestions from others
- Encourages feedback on own behavior
- Understands and is committed to team objectives
- Does not engage in win/lose activities with other team members
- Has skills in understanding what’s going on in the group
Author: Dan Collns is from Fresh Tracks who are experts in running team building activities, team development programmes and staff conference organising.