According to Dummies.com the 10 qualities of an effective team player are:
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Advice for dummies and intellectuals - Demonstrates reliability
- Communicates constructively
- Listens actively
- Functions as an active participant
- Shares openly and willingly
- Cooperates and pitches in to help
- Exhibits flexibility
- Shows commitment to the team
- Works as a problem-solver
- Treats others in a respectful and supportive manner
As a non-dummy myself, I do agree with all the above. What is to fault? If you do all these things surely you are a team player? Right? Yes, but doing these things are not enough. Of course you should try your best to play the game as a good player, and yes, these are all good ways of adding value to any business.
However, I have discovered that there are three things that most intellectuals do wrong. In order to be a great team player you should also do the following 3 things:
- Always treat your boss as the hero. Never make him or her look bad. Accept that your great idea is now your boss’s great idea.
- Never, ever, try to be smarter than your boss. This is a cardinal sin in any company. Do your best to lower your IQ when dealing with the man in charge.
- Always bend the rules, obviously only for peers or superiors, never for your subordinates.
Play along with these rules and you are bound to be seen as a great team player. The future will be rosy and you will probably be offered a promotion. Try it, it does work.