What Kind of Team Member are You?  - by Linda Trignano

Stop for a minute and think about the number of teams you are a part of.  The primary team you are on is the department in which you work at the company that hired you. Beyond this, you are also a part of many other teams.  For example, you may be chosen to take part in an ongoing team project or asked to join an ad hoc committee. 

If you look deeper, you can see that you do not play the same role on each team.  One team might need you for your technical skills, another might select you because you are part of Mr. Jones’s organization and yet another might select you because of your prior experience in a different industry.  And oh yeah, the other reason we land on a particular team – they need someone and you just happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.  Lucky you, you are now part of another team!

In my team building training I cover the 5 roles of team members – Creator (generates ideas),  Advancer (promotes ideas), Refiner (challenges ideas), Executor (implements ideas), Flexor (steps in to fill the gaps).  Whether you have thought about being a team member in this way or not, you do indeed fill one of these roles on each team in which you participate. 

The question is “how do others view you” when you are in your team role?  Are you seen as someone who actively participates?  Someone who works to complete tasks needed to further the team toward the goal?  Someone who gives the impression that you would rather be anywhere else but at the meeting?  The main point here is to be cognizant of how others may be viewing you even though they may not verbalize their thoughts.  Being active and involved in whatever team you are a part of is key to your success. 

Others see and know your attitude by the behaviors and style that you demonstrate during the meetings, the follow up activity and quality of work that you produce.  It is important to your career to keep in mind how others are seeing you, the judgments and assumptions they make about you and your work habits.  Their main view into your style is through your level of participation.

In the 5 team roles listed above, all are necessary for a team to operate at peak proficiency.  Some are better at generating ideas (Creator) some are better at implementing ideas (Executor).  Can you imagine a team full of Creators?  You might end up with a list full of great ideas and no one to take the steps to bring them to life.  Or how about a list full of great ideas and no one stepping up to challenge where the roadblocks might be?  Disaster! 

Whether you are the team member who naturally gravitates toward asking questions or the team member who is perfectly happy taking the team’s direction and implementing, you are an important part of the team. 

Why not make a conscious effort to help steer the ship in the right direction?  Your next promotion or raise may depend on how skillfully you manage your team skills.

About HR Performance Solutions:

HR Performance Solutions founder Linda Trignano works with clients to improve their skills in the areas of leadership and management.  With over 22 years of experience HR Performance Solutions, LLC provides corporate clients support in training and developing teams, and individuals with customized coaching to successfully manage their career. 

HR Performance Solutions brings a unique approach to its clients. By integrating problem identification, action plan development and employee acceptance into every engagement, we produces results that drive company profits and value.  We also employ DiSC assessments to help companies and individuals improve performance.  Check our website for complete information on how to bring the DiSC assessment for improving your team’s performance.  We can be reached at: www.hrperformancesolutions.com or by calling 973-839-5068.

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