Man is a social creature, and this unique feature percolates into his personal and business circles. Indeed, teamwork harnesses the energy of different moving parts to achieve a specific objective. However, a good team member requires skills such as active listening and open communication to minimize conflict in the group. Whereas I am truly confident in my capability to be a team player, I could use strategies such as understanding my role in a group and allowing others to help me improve my abilities.
I agree with my Elements of Teamwork worksheet, and I believe it accurately depicts how much I enjoy working in teams. My ability to represent the issues respectfully affecting me is an asset to a proper team function. Communication is vital at every stage of teamwork due to the added strength and coordination it offers the group dynamics. Mainly, I pay close attention to problematic areas, formulate questions explicitly targeting the issue, and ensure they are brought up promptly. The score on the assessment test reflects these abilities and my positional value in any team.
Concerning leadership, I would argue I would make a poor leader, mainly due to my inability to listen to my teammates actively. Whereas I can communicate quickly, I find trouble paying attention to the needs of others or offering helpful feedback when they present me with their problems. Additionally, I find strength in working out issues within the comfort of a team structure; thus, both success and failure are shared equally. However, being a leader carries a solace that requires said leader to shoulder the blame if anything happens in the group or to make crucial decisions that influence the entire group. These skills are integral in shaping and defining a good leader, and I critically lack them.
One of the strategies I can utilize to improve my teamwork skills is to understand and contextualize my role within the group. Identifying what is expected will ensure I deliver to the group without fail (Dalley, 2021). Additionally, I need to change my attitude and allow others to help me to the same degree that I offer my assistance. Accepting help is a form of deference that shows respect and generates a team camaraderie spirit (Dalley, 2021). Integrating these two strategies into my current skill set will make me a more effective team member.
In conclusion, a good team member communicates and respects his teammates. I have practical communication skills that make me a good team member. Furthermore, I can flexibly handle any abrupt changes to the group dynamic and reliably handle the tasks assigned to me. Nonetheless, I can improve my ability by accepting help from others on challenging tasks and understanding what is expected from me in the group. Teamwork skills are the foundation of societal progress and technological advancements for humanity.
Reference
Dalley, M. (2021). Twenty easy ways to improve your teamwork skills. CareerAddict. Web.