what to do when your boss says you re not a team player

You may not even realize you're doing it. That's why, when someone says you're non a very good team player at work, you're taken aback by the comment.

Your intentions are good. Y'all're doing what you do because you experience information technology'southward best for the team. But... Acting in whatsoever of these 5 means volition earn you the reputation of not being a squad thespian at piece of work. Despite your all-time intentions, without pregnant any harm, you're behaving in a style that others view as ego-driven, not team-spirited.

Quiz: What's the Biggest Roadblock to Your Career Advocacy?

#1 - The Expert

It's inevitable. Someone on a team has more than experience and knowledge than others. The Expert may, indeed, have all the answers... that worked in the past.

What The Expert doesn't have is new ideas, new perspectives and the collective experiences of the grouping (that may surpass his/her own if given a chance). The Expert also doesn't have grouping support and buy-in.

The Expert is often well-meaning. Giving the answers and explaining how things were done in the past is meant to save time, interruption down barriers and get a "sure matter" solution.

When The Expert fails to seek and understand others' input, though, it looks more like information technology's most The Expert'southward know-information technology-all ego.

#two - The Abet

Another well-pregnant type tries to represent others' ideas and perspectives, sometimes challenging The Adept or the "powers that exist" in a group. The Advocate does seek out others' input, usually in side conversations 1-to-1 instead of with the full team.

The Abet listens well and dignifies the opinions of those who aren't feeling heard by The Expert or others. But The Advocate sometimes goes likewise far and ends upward stripping others of their dignity by speaking for them instead of bringing their voice out.

To others, this begins to look like a power play. The Advocate shelters and nurtures a subset of the group which, over time, limits the individual effectiveness and visibility of those team members. All the while, The Advocate is getting more air time.

These dynamics seldom play out well. The Advocate begins to exist seen every bit a divisive forcefulness. The people who rely on The Advocate are seen every bit weak. Their lack of speaking for themselves causes others to believe they lack courage and ideas of their own.

#3 - The Giver

Proficient intentions are obvious with The Giver. People on the team appreciate what The Giver does for them. The Giver makes them feel special in some way.

Some Givers offer communication. Some are purveyors of information and seem to be "in the know" well-nigh all the part gossip. Some Givers provide treats or host celebrations or keep well-stocked candy jars on their desks. Some fifty-fifty give their time to aid with errands or to serve on endless committees.

The problem begins when The Giver begins to come across himself or herself every bit an important nugget to the team considering of the giving. Being valued for being liked or beingness generous isn't the same every bit being valued for the contribution to reaching the team's goals. Others on the team often feel conflicted, liking and appreciating The Giver while also resenting that The Giver doesn't seem to be focused on the more pressing and urgent matters that are tied to team achievement.

This can create a backlash and hurt feelings. The Giver continues to give and doesn't embrace why people want more or different things. Blurring the lines between responsibilities to the squad and extra niceties for the squad puts extra brunt on others. In some cases, this can begin to seem like The Giver is giving to contrivance piece of work and/or to fuel his or her own ego, wanting to be liked and constantly giving to obligate others to him or her.

#4 - The Superstar

Often, but not always, The Superstar is a top performer. At times, The Superstar condition and behaviors are from bygone days or an inflated cocky-perception.

Either manner, The Superstar is not seen every bit a squad player at work. No affair how significant the contribution, others feel minimized by The Superstar'southward lack of respect for them. The Superstar may non mean to convey that they think they're superior to or more than of import than others. Just that's exactly what it feels like to others.

The Superstar's bad behaviors may seem little more abrasive in isolation. "I'm as well busy" or "I tin't be bothered" is, for them, a way of prioritizing or rationalizing other choices made. What they may non realize is how much bear upon at that place is on the remainder of the team when they neglect to exercise their part.

Diva behaviors advise cocky-importance. Cocky-importance says, loudly and clearly, that others simply aren't equally important. That hurts worse than the unfinished piece of work others may take to exercise.

#5 - The Accommodater

It may not look like ego at showtime, just The Accommodater'southward deportment can as well be interpreted in this way. Existence overly all-around appears, to many, to be more concerned with beingness liked than with being effective.

In teams, conflict volition occasionally occur. It's unhealthy for people on a team to always agree. The Accommodater actually limits team effectiveness past not speaking upwards or pushing back to stir new ideas.

The Accommodater, similar anyone, has a breaking point. It can be devastating to a team when The Accommodater reaches his or hers. The consummate shut downward or abstention or out-of-the-blue defensiveness tin can take the team past surprise and experience unfair to others who were merely taking because that'southward what The Accommodater had conditioned them to do.

If You've Inadvertently Adopted One of These Roles on Your Team...

Recall twice before you continue these behaviors. Most will serve you well in the short-term and price yous dearly in the long-term. Your reputation and impact volition be macerated. Whether or not you're actually being driven by your ego, consider how others may perceive what you lot're doing.

Rest your behaviors. Ask for others' input. Encourage others to use their own vocalism. Exist sure yous do the piece of work that volition ensure you are valued for your contribution to the squad's measured goals. Be respectful of others' fourth dimension and remember that they, too, are busy and equally important. Be consistent and employ your vocalisation to help the team perform at its all-time.

Next Steps for becoming a Team Player at Work

Sensation is a great identify to start. Interpersonal problems, ego clashes and misperceptions at work can fester if left unattended. If y'all're looking for ways to get your squad dorsum on track, take action today!

1. Make up one's mind if there's a trust gap in your team. Inadvertent breaches of trust tin can cause lasting damage if not acknowledged and repaired.
2. Download 1 of our pop infographics for teams. Decision-making for teams provides a footstep-by-step arroyo for collaborative decision-making.
3. Volume a PFPS facilitator today to facilitate critical squad meetings, to speak at your leadership or squad events, to conduct customized retreats or workshops to ameliorate your squad'due south effectiveness.

CONNECT2Win is the weblog for anybody who works with anyone. Published weekly, the accent in 2017 is on the basics of squad effectiveness for team leaders and all team members who want to contribute at a higher level.

Deb Calvert is President of People First Productivity Solutions, the company that'south been building organizational strength by putting people first since 2006.  Deb'due south fortune 500 background in Human being Resources, Sales and Operations gives her a unique perspective on working with cross-functional teams. She is a certified Executive Autobus, MBTI practitioner, Certified Master of The Leadership Challenge®, bestselling writer, instructional designer and gifted facilitator.

Topics: team-edifice, squad effectiveness, connect2win, squad histrion

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Source: https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/connect2win/team-player-at-work