Be a Team Player

If you work in a group of two or more people, chances are you are considered by the management as a “team.” The question is: do you consider yourself a team member? Are you really acting as a team? Or, do you, at times, think of the other people in your company as competition? After all, if one of them gets the contract, you might not. It’s easy to see how some people adopt a defeating attitude and begin to sabotage their teammate’s work, and, as a result, sabotage their own success as well.

Remember the oft-told example of two horses pulling a load. Two horses, pulling in unison, can pull more than three times the amount that each horse can pull separately. It’s called the synergistic effect, and you can make it work for you and your company.

Vince Lombardi once said, “Individual commitment to a group effort — that’s what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.”  Look for ways that you can contribute to the group efforts of your entire staff. Look for way that you can work together. Look for ways to help others in your company–above and beyond what you are expected to do. Don’t be afraid to share ideas and techniques that work. Pretty soon, the effectiveness of the entire group will grow, boosting your personal success and profits along with those of your team and your company.

Success Tip: Be a team player! If you want to improve your own chances for success, look for ways to help fellow workers and bolster your entire team.