Sports Then and Now

Many coaches and sports enthusiasts talk about being a good “team player” but aren’t always clear about what exactly that means. Having the right skills and attitudes when working with others on a team can mean the difference between just being another member of that team and being a true team player. When your entire team is composed of true team players, then the abilities of your group are transformed and expanded. You have the opportunity to develop these skills and attitudes and help foster them across your entire team.

The Right Attitude

One of the cornerstones of being a team player is having the right attitude. This usually means being positive at all times. Most people can be positive when times are good, but those who are really team players remain positive when things are tough, after failure and when things go wrong. They are able to share this positive attitude with others and keep them motivated through the hard times. Whether your team wins or loses, your stabilizing attitude helps them see the positives or lessons that can come out of the experience.

The attitude of being a true team player is also displayed in how you relate to the accomplishments of others. When you are as excited about another player’s accomplishment as you would be for your own accomplishment, then you are starting to act like a team player. A true team player draws no distinction between themselves and their team. Every player’s accomplishment or skill is shared and celebrated.

Trust and Responsibility

A true team player is someone who has learned to balance the concepts of trust and responsibility with those around them. People come to trust a team player because they knew that person is going to be responsible and carry through. Real team players don’t try to do everything. They don’t try to play every position perfectly or promise, or expect, to carry the whole team. Instead, they balance what they do and understand their own limitations so they don’t take on what they won’t be able to finish or do well. This makes them more reliable and trustworthy. Other team members feel comfortable relying on them and depending on them.

On the flip side, a true team player is also capable of placing their trust in others and having confidence in their decisions and abilities. The true team player may act as a sort of mini-coach, recognizing the strengths and weaknesses in others on the team and helping them maximize those strengths while minimizing those weaknesses. This ability is critical to team strategy and cohesion. A team player is always practicing strategic thinking skills. They consider not just about what they themselves should do, but what everyone on the team should be doing.

Once another player’s role is set and their skills established, the true team player builds on that. Instead of trying to be the all-star, the true team player helps the entire team shine. In this way, the true team player exemplifies responsibility on both sides of the table. They are both responsible themselves and foster responsibility in those they play with.

Passion and Commitment

A true team player is also an exemplar of passion and commitment. This doesn’t mean they have to be the best player or the most-talented player, but they show by example that they love what they are doing, they do it with all their heart and mind and they are committed for the long haul.

This example of passion and commitment has an important effect on the entire team. When someone is a true team player, they are leading by example. They are setting the bar that much higher and creating a goal for everyone else to reach toward and excel. They are also creating a greater sense of trust, safety and camaraderie throughout the entire team. When other players see someone with exceptional commitment, they are that much more likely to feel a sense of obligation to display that commitment themselves.

Becoming a true team player isn’t something that happens overnight. It is as set of real skills and a particular mindset that requires attention and practice. Becoming a true team player always starts with you. It begins with your desire and your mindfulness. It begins with shifting your perspective from yourself to your group and making your entire team the center of importance. Becoming a team player is something that will happen over time if you focus on it—just as you would focus on any sport’s skill. It’s never too late to start, and it’s never too late to help your teammates reach for the game goal.