How to be a good teammate

Everyone wants to be part of a great team. A team that is harmonious and works together collaboratively in order to perform well. To have a good team, however, one has to be a good teammate as well. What does that mean, though? What makes someone a good teammate and how can we be one?

There is no cookie cutter way to answer these questions. What it means to be a good teammate depends on the job, the company and the actual people that make up said team. In general, though, there are a handful of things everyone appreciates in their colleagues.?

Everyone values someone who’s helpful and willing to assist when needed. In most situations and career lines, the team is supposed to work together and collaborate, even if the separate teammates work on their individual tasks by themselves. Helping each other is not only an opportunity to bond with one another, but it also allows both parties to learn. Everybody takes on tasks slightly differently and has different ways of approaching a task; sharing the way you go about solving a problem might be super valuable for the colleague you’re trying to help. So don’t hesitate to offer help or even suggest working on a task collaboratively. Gaining new perspectives can help you and your teammates when solving possible issues in the future. Learning from each other is invaluable - it’s a win-win situation!

Next up, it is important to try to be positive and optimistic when at work. This is not always easy to execute especially if you are going through hardships in your private life, but positivity really goes a long way; it’s infectious. In the same vein, always be kind to those around you. You want your coworkers to know they can approach you at any time for help or for a chat. Similarly, honesty is crucial. There is no point in lying when asked for your opinion; you can politely tell them your honest thoughts. Honesty and kindness can coexist.?

Let’s talk about accountability. Accepting criticism can be a hard thing to do, especially if you worked hard on a task which is then not received as well as you expected. However, mistakes and diverging opinions happen. While you absolutely have the right to share your opinion and views on a subject, it is also important to take accountability for any mistakes you might have made, or just accept that you don’t see eye to eye. Take it as an opportunity to learn; feedback goes both ways!

A lot of people go to work to get their job done and make money, but nothing beats being friends with the people you spend over 40 hours with each week. Not only does it make going to work a more enjoyable experience, but you might just meet some great new people that you’ll enjoy seeing even outside of work! So don’t hesitate to join your coworkers for after-work drinks or team-building activities; this will let you bond with them and get to know them on a personal level.?

As you can see, being a good coworker really isn’t that hard. Healthy communication and kindness is at the base of it all. If your other teammates follow these same unwritten rules, you will be part of a great team!