The Essential Attributes of an “A” Team Player: Tips for Success in the Workplace and Beyond

Mastering these useful attributes will aid you in excelling your career and may lead you to opportunities that you never knew existed.??

If you want to be a truly great team player, you need to be willing to go above and beyond every day to make sure your team succeeds. Being an "A" team player means not only completing your own tasks to the best of your ability, but also supporting your team members and helping them achieve their goals.

Some of the most memorable employees who have worked for me or those who I've seen work for others are people who take care of things with ease. Those who are hospitable and who are kind in their communications.

One of the most important things you can do to be an effective team player is to communicate openly and honestly with your teammates. This means listening to their ideas, asking for feedback, and providing constructive criticism when necessary. It also means being willing to share your own opinions and ideas, and working collaboratively to find the best solution to any problem.

Another important aspect of being an "A" team player is being willing to take on extra tasks or responsibilities when needed. Whether it's staying late to finish a project or taking on a new project outside of your usual role, stepping up to help your team can make a huge difference in their success.

Being an "A" team player also means being proactive and taking initiative. It means being resourceful and finding ways to get things accomplished. Look for ways to improve processes, streamline workflows, and increase efficiency. Pay attention to what your team needs and find ways to meet those needs, even if it means going outside of your comfort zone or taking on new challenges.

It requires putting your own ego aside and working collaboratively to achieve shared goals. When you put in the effort to be the best team player you can be, you'll find that your team is not only more successful, but also more enjoyable to work with.

Displaying “A” team behavior is something many leaders who I speak to regularly are looking for in their employees and when displayed by the majority of the staff, this behavior can truly drive the company to great success. Achieving all of the attributes needed to become an “A” Team Player will help your manager or even those in the c-suite notice your contributions and the important role you play within your company.?

I am often asked for the "A" Team Player list. So, here is a quick list to consider as you pave the path on your journey, whatever that may be at the moment or into the future.

Always asks questions

No question is a bad question! Asking when you don’t know if humbling but it is always good to clarify expectations. This helps you clearly identify what is expected of you within the task you are working on. Asking questions allows you to learn and improve your knowledge on certain topics and helps you identify areas where you need to research more. Asking questions also shows you are paying attention to the conversation and displays your desire to help complete the task at hand. Being curious and asking questions also helps you learn more.?

Learn quickly

No one starts off as an expert in any field or subject, but having the ability to learn and adapt quickly is an absolute must for displaying “A” Behavior. Showing the ability to absorb and learn skills quickly leaders will put more trust in you for future projects Learning quickly from your mistakes is also crucial in showing “A” behavior while showing what you’ve learned from those mistakes. Our best lessons are learned by our mistakes, not our successes.?

Demonstrate accountability

Everyone makes mistakes but owning up to these mistakes and taking accountability is a must when striving for “A” Behavior. Learning from your mistakes and showing your manager?you have learned and grown, will definitely go a long way in showing your importance to the company. It is also okay to apologize.?

Manage your emotions

Keeping your emotional resilience and managing your emotions even when anger and frustration start to boil up is important to maintaining a professional demeanor in the workplace. Correctly handling your emotions and staying calm allows yourself to think through decisions precisely before sending out an impulsive email or make a decision you might regret later. Taking the time to manage your emotions will lead to a healthier and more friendly workplace for all co-workers.??

Be an excellent communicator

Communications is an absolute must in order to display “A” Behavior. Communicating quickly via email, Slack or another online text or chat software, phone calls or in person is critical in any workplace. Efficient communication leads to better collaboration, trusting relationships, work flow and overall higher quality in deliverables.?And most importantly, as part of being a great communicator, focus on always keeping your promises. If it is a deadline, meet it or communicate about it. Think ahead before someone thinks for you.

Be an authentic human

Staying true to who you are promotes authenticity and honesty. No one likes a person who acts insincere, or fake all the time, especially when you can really tell their true intentions. Fostering the authenticity of yourself in the workplace allows you to build relationships easier and build a foundation of trust with your co-workers.?

Hold a positive mindset everyday

Being a “glass half full” kind of employee will go a long way in the eyes of your employer. Having a positive mindset is not only good for yourself, but it also rubs off on your co-workers. The more employees with a positive mindset, the more positive the culture will be within the company.?Another way of looking at this is to always go out and have a great day, no matter the circumstance.

Always show up on time (even on Zoom)?

Time is money and money is time! Wasting other people's time by being late is inconsiderate and is a bad reflection of yourself to others. Showing up early is what every “A” Behavior person should strive for. Whether you are 5 minutes or 30 minutes early, being on time is a great reflection of your consideration of other people. This applies to all aspects of life including personal relationships, appointments and obviously the workplace.?

Take Initiative

Showing initiative demonstrates a willingness to go above and beyond what is expected. This shows your boss and co-workers?you are a proactive and valuable member of the team. Showing initiative can also lead to personal success because you will be taking on challenges and opportunities, which might otherwise not have been available to you if you didn’t show initiative.?

Focus on the team

There’s no “I” in team right? Someone who puts the team in front of themselves will always have a spot at the table. A team-oriented player goes above and beyond in terms of putting their teammates and objectives first over themselves. Giving your team credit for an idea rather than taking the credit yourself is important to keeping morale high and everyone motivated.?And strip the "I" out of any email or communication you take forward. Always use the word "we" in your communications.

Don't speak poorly about others

Never engage in this activity. Ever.

Be reliable?

Do what you say you are going to do. Being true to your word and hitting deadlines on time is an absolute must in any job. Hitting deadlines consistently with quality work will only build your employers trust in you and will give them confidence to hand you higher level projects. Being consistently reliable is one of the most important traits you can have when striving for “A” Behavior.?

An "A" Team Behavior is a valuable set of qualities that can be applied to all aspects of life. By exhibiting these attributes, individuals can become successful team players who are valued in their personal and professional relationships. The purpose of these attributes is to show that anyone can achieve success in their career whether it’s big or small by consciously trying to be a team player.

Companies are often looking for people that display all or most of these attributes because “A” team players influence other employees to display the same behavior. If a company has a majority of employees displaying “A” behavior, there is truly no boundary or obstacle that they can’t overcome. This behavior is infectious and once implemented successfully, the sky is the limit for the employee and employer.?

Now, be fearless and go out and wow your boss and your team at least once a week.