5 Ways To Be A Better Teammate
As I think back on my Olympic skiing career there are a lot of things I wish I would have done differently. Situations I wish I had handled more professionally. Moments when I wish I didn’t feel so emotionally committed. Defeats that I wish I would have displayed more grace and acceptance.
But out of all of the moments I wish I could do over is how I acted as a teammate when situations got rough and I felt scared. We can all be great teammates when things are going our way and the cards are falling in our favor, but when life is at its hardest, hope seems lost and you are at your most vulnerable that you need to be a GREAT teammate. Because when we think beyond the “I” and “Me” we build a sense of trust and respect with our teammates that can weather any storm.
During these challenging times, when we don’t know which way is up or down, I encourage you to try to be an incredible teammate and implement the following:
Be vulnerable and be compassionate
All of us walk different paths in different shoes each and every day. Someone who looks like they have it 100% together may be fighting cancer or going through a divorce. You NEVER know what others are going through until you open yourself up to sharing pieces of yourself and asking questions of others. As we continue to be isolated from the people we love, family, and friends our team is who some of us interact the most with. And if you share your vulnerability with your team and show them compassion when they share with you it opens up a whole level of connection and trust you never knew was there.
Do the right thing
There are so many temptations in life to do the “easy” thing or the thing we “want” to do. The thing that will get us to the finish line first, help us check the box on our list of to-dos or get to the top quicker. But I promise you that most often cutting corners or doing the “easy” thing is not the “right” thing. I find that when I talk it out with someone I know and trust, the “right” thing always reveals itself, even if it is the more difficult decision. Doing the right thing often will require some kind of explanation or compromise or vulnerability but when you consistently choose the right thing I promise you, your team will value you and your decisions a lot more.
Keep your word
It’s quite simple - it is essential you do what you say you are going to do, get it done when you say you are going to get it done by and with the best effort you can put forth. So many of us say “yes” to things we know we can’t actually execute and when the time comes to deliver we let not only ourselves down, but one another. Learn to say no if you can’t keep your word, offer alternative solutions and reasons behind your decisions. You will build an increased level of trust within your team as someone who is dependable and realistic of expectations.
Be the positive one
I can’t tell you how many Zoom calls I have been on lately where the mood is somber because everyone on the call feels overwhelmed, stressed out, overworked, and unhappy. Can you be the person on the call to lift everyone up? Can you say everything with a smile and be encouraging through it all? If every call had that 1 person to acknowledge what we are all going through but change their behavior to hope and optimism, it would shift the mood and turn that negative into a positive. Bring something funny to share, tell a “you’re not going to believe this” story or simply bring an abundance of enthusiasm to share with your team!!
Do “1 More”
What is one more thing you can do today to be a better teammate? Is it to write an email to a teammate who you know is struggling? Can you send someone some flowers to brighten their day? Can you sing someone Happy Birthday over Zoom to make someone smile? Can you offer to do a task you know someone is having a hard time with? Can you do something kind for someone without them ever finding out it was you? It’s always about the little things in life, going above and beyond when we don’t have to, bringing someone happiness when they least expect it that matters. What kind of teammate are you and how can you be better?
And to all of my teammates that I’ve had over the years. I wish I could take some of my actions back and not be so selfish. I wish I could have been more supportive when you needed it most. I wish I was more mindful of the journey you were on and the struggles you were going through. I wish I took more time to be vulnerable and real with you. But rest assured, I look back on my memories and actions and they guide me to make better decisions today about the teammate I truly want to be!!