3 ways to be a great team player

I love college basketball. The month that contains the NCAA tournament, The Masters, and MLB Opening Day is perhaps the greatest month of the year. Seeing as how we’re smack dab in the middle of that stretch, buckle up for some more sports references. Last week we talked about teamwork. It’s not always easy to work with a team. If you’re used to doing your own thing, the transition to a team environment can be an adjustment. If you want to be a great team player, here are three characteristics you should embody…

You have to be patient: Think of a super-talented point guard. He could bring the ball down court and find his own shot, but it works better when he gets everyone involved. It would be nice if you knew exactly what to expect from every one of your coworkers, but that’s not always the case. Sometimes you’ll find yourself frustrated with coworkers, and that’s completely normal. Keep your cool during stressful situations, because the last thing you want to do is ruin good team chemistry. When frustrating situations arise, take a deep breath and be patient. Things don’t always go the way you’d like on the court either. But you have to show patience, stick to the game plan, move the ball around, and eventually the shots will start falling.

You have to have confidence: Practice makes perfect. There’s a reason your favorite wing guard shoots hundreds of 3-pointers after practice. When the big moment arrives, he keeps his cool and is able to bury the big shot. Having confidence at work can be the difference between being stuck in a position for a long time and being quickly promoted. When your confidence starts to rub off on others, you’ll see a lot of success around you. And sometimes when one guy gets hot on the court, that heat rubs off on others as well.

You have to be dependable: Sometimes, coworkers don’t pull their weight. You never want to be that person. You want to be the person everyone can rely on. A lack of dependability can damage your team and your business. In basketball, there’s nothing worse than someone can’t deliver when you need them to. Whether that’s playing lock down defense on a skilled opponent, hitting a big free throw late in the game, or just being on the court (and not in foul trouble) when you’re a big part of the game plan.