Are you invested in your team’s success or are you merely interested? In my book The WE Gear, I identify the five key behaviors of good teammates as Active, Loyal, Invested, Viral, and Empathetic.
Whenever I explain the difference between teammates who are interested versus those who are invested, I point out that interested teammates are content to remain on the periphery. They’re happy for others’ prosperity, but they’re not willing to accept the burden that comes with helping others overcome problems.
Contrastingly, invested teammates view their teammates’ problems as their problems. They accept the accompanying inconvenience. They also endeavor to identify the sources of their teammates’ problems.
Here are seven ways to be an invested teammate:
1. Discover Their Goals. Many of your teammates’ problems stem from their goals. What are they trying to achieve? Commit to discovering what goals your teammates are actively pursuing.
2. Analyze Their Approach. What strategies are your teammates employing to pursue their goals? How can you support their current strategies? Can you help them develop a better approach?
3. Learn Their Values. Similar to the situation with goals, your teammates’ problems can emerge from issues conflicting with the values they hold dearest. Do you know your teammates’ core values? Do you know why those particular values are important to them?
4. Learn Their Past. Your teammates possess past experiences, challenges, and successes that influence their current thoughts and actions. Understanding their history can enlighten you to why they behave the way they do.
5. Help Them See Their Blind Spots. Your teammates are likely oblivious to some of their flaws. Can you help them bridge the gap between how they see themselves and how others see them?
6. Get Them to See Their Potential. Your teammates may not realize what they’re capable of achieving. Are they aware of their talents? Do they have worthy goals in place? Getting them to realize the depths of their potential can improve their sense of worth.
7. Share Motivation. Your teammates’ problems may be the product of stagnation. Sharing sources of motivation (e.g., quotes, videos, shorts, stories, etc.) can fuel their drive to improve.
Those who accept the burden and embrace the inconvenience of being an invested teammate improve their teams’ chances of succeeding. It is a choice that inevitably pays dividends—for you and your team.
As always…Good teammates care. Good teammates share. Good teammates listen. Go be a good teammate.
