Yesterday, Americans observed Memorial Day. While to many this holiday marks the unofficial start to summer, its true purpose is for us to pause, honor, and remember military personnel who died while serving in their country.
When you’re a good teammate, you serve the needs of your team. That means you supply your team with the support, actions, and commitment it needs to be successful.
Here are ten things good teammates need to remember in their service to their teams:
1. The teams’ needs supersede your individual wants. Put “we” ahead of “me.”
2. Your loyalty is to your TEAM. This premise requires you to get a teammate’s back, even if that teammate might not have yours.
3. Honor the coaches, teachers, and mentors who cared about you and helped you get where you are.
4. Unshared knowledge is just another form of selfishness. Share what you’ve learned with your fellow teammates.
5. Embrace humility. Let no task be beneath you. If your team needs it, be ready and willing to do it.
6. Listen with the intent to understand, not to respond. Active listening is how you discover what your team and your teammates need from you.
7. Every role on the team matters. They all influence the team’s chances of achieving success. Insist on becoming a master of your role whatever that role happens to be.
8. When one of us wins, we all win. Celebrate your teammates’ individual victories with the same fervor as you would your own personal victories.
9. There are no isolated islands on a team. Every decision you make affects someone else on your team in one way or another. Bear this in mind when weighing your options.
10. Impressionable teammates are always watching. Make sure your example inspires them to move in the right direction.
If you can remember these ten things—and put them to practice—your legacy as a good teammate will be remembered and treasured long after your time on the team has ended.
As always…Good teammates care. Good teammates share. Good teammates listen. Go be a good teammate.
