Not being a team player can limit opportunities to develop and grow in your career. Learn about these 11 signs that show you are not being a team player at work.
Working together with others is necessary to accomplish workplace goals. Acquiring excellent teamwork skills will help you thrive in your career, whether you're already a member of a team or getting ready to join one. In this article, we'll go over some traits that do not make you a team player at work and that you should avoid if you want to be one.
1. You don't contribute to group projects
Effective team players at work are engaged, contributors. You are not a team player if you don't show up early for meetings, come prepared, pay attention, or participate actively in discussions. Typically, you prefer to sit on the sidelines and avoid volunteering for tasks or supporting your team.
You don't follow through on your promises, even though your behaviour may have an impact on the entire team. You don't lend a helping hand to a teammate when they ask for it. Or you don't impart knowledge and prior experiences that can be helpful to others.
2. You don't listen actively
High-performing teams require active listeners to communicate effectively. You are not a team player at work if you lack the capacity to listen actively to absorb, comprehend, and take into account the opinions of others. You are also not a team player at work if you constantly interrupt or debate with your colleagues too quickly. Team players are capable of taking constructive criticism positively without immediately jumping to defend themselves.
3. You don't respect other people's opinions
Team players treat their teammates the same way they would like to be treated. If you don't show your colleagues respect and support where necessary, you may be jeopardizing their chances of succeeding. This means you are not a team player at work if you constantly demean their efforts and are unfairly critical.
4. You don't adhere to the rules and instructions
The purpose of rules in business is to safeguard the organization. They shield the business from legal action. Employees who abide by the rules understand what is required of them and what would happen if they break them.
It creates a secure work climate where individuals feel comfortable showing up for work, being themselves, and conducting business as usual. The team performs better when everyone abides by the rules. You are not a team player if you display a nonchalant attitude toward fair and reasonable regulations that govern your workplace.
5. You don’t understand your role
As a member of the team, you are expected to be conscious of your responsibilities and strive to carry them out to the greatest extent possible. A team player might provide assistance or solutions to other team members, but is respectful of their position's limitations. If you tend to encroach on other colleagues' responsibilities without their permission or you don't understand the limitations of your role, you are not a team player.
6. You're not adaptable to change
Excellent team members can adapt to change at the drop of a hat. If you are not prepared to adjust to changes without grumbling or hesitating, you are definitely not a team player. You generally resist attempting something new or accepting the need to take a new route toward achieving team goals.
7. You don't tackle problems
An effective team member approaches and resolves issues as quickly as possible. You are not a team player if you don't deal with problems as soon as they develop. If you ignore, dwell on them, or pass the buck to others, you are not a team player at work.
8. You're a lone ranger
People work in different ways. It is a mistake to assume that your colleagues lack the ability to produce work on your level just because they use different approaches. If you refuse to develop a cooperative working relationship with your teammates, you are not a team player.
Read also: Being a team player
9. You resent other people's accomplishments
The way you see your working relationships affects your performance. If you feel threatened by the success of your colleagues, that is a warning sign that your perspective is unhealthy. This is not the behaviour of a team player at work. It is a flaw to view your co-workers as competitors in the workplace, and this will make it difficult for you to collaborate with them.
10. You are not disciplined
A team player sacrifices something they genuinely enjoy doing to perform required tasks. You are not a team player if you don't possess the capacity to maintain mental clarity, control your emotions, and act in the team's best interest when the need arises.
11. You don’t take responsibility for your actions
Mistakes do occur in the workplace as no one is infallible. Accepting responsibility for one's errors and seeking out remedies are some of the best qualities of a team player. If you don't recognize the effects your actions have on the team and act accordingly, you are not a team player at work.
Read also: Why is team building important?
Conclusion
Finding fulfilling employment will be easier if you can work well with others. Not knowing how to work effectively with others will limit your options to grow and create valuable connections. In this article, we have discussed traits and behaviours that tell when you are not a team player at work. These traits and behaviours should be avoided or corrected at all costs.
