How to Be an Effective Team Player

Susan recently accepted a job with a major pharmaceutical company. She was excited about the opportunity; however, it wasn’t long before she began to worry that she’d made a huge mistake. Her new role required her to collaborate with people throughout the organization, from executives to administrative professionals in other departments. Susan felt unsure about her ability to establish rapport with colleagues and was having trouble adjusting to each person’s preferred work style. “Would I be better off at another firm?” she wondered.

The truth is, Susan would likely face the same dilemma no matter where she worked. Every administrative professional must learn to be an effective team player to be successful. Whether asked to coordinate a meeting for senior managers, organize a training session for employees or compile information for a last-minute report, collaborating with colleagues and outside business contacts is part of the daily routine. And according to 91 percent of executives polled by OfficeTeam, employees will be working even more frequently on project teams in the next 10 to 15 years. Why?

First, business is becoming increasingly global as many companies explore opportunities overseas and recruit talent from other countries. Because of this, it’s crucial that you are able to work smoothly with professionals in various locations and with diverse backgrounds.

In addition, a report by The Futurist indicates that more than 100 million people will telecommute to work by 2015. Administrative professionals will serve as a vital link, bringing together this increasingly dispersed workforce.

Given the changing work environment, your ability to collaborate with people across departments and time zones will be crucial to your success. The following guidelines can help you build your teamwork skills:

Demonstrate flexibility. Business needs can change rapidly, sometimes altering the goals or direction of a project. As a result, team members need to be able to quickly respond to shifting demands. Be prepared to make yourself available on short notice when others need assistance. Your ability to acclimate to new situations will not only keep a project on track but also set a good example for others.

Share the glory and the workload. In a collaborative environment, group successes take precedence over individual achievements. Even if you feel you are contributing more than your colleagues on occasion, remember that when the team wins, everyone wins. So, do your best at all times to move the group’s objectives forward. Publicly acknowledge coworkers who offer you support during the course of a project or send thank-you messages, copying their managers.

If there are sizeable and continuing discrepancies in the distribution of work among the team, try to resolve the issue diplomatically. If this approach fails, tactfully bring the matter to the attention of your supervisor. When doing so, focus primarily on the group’s goals that are in jeopardy and minimize any placement of blame.

Demonstrate enthusiasm. Your manager is looking not just for outstanding job performance but also for an eagerness to excel. Regardless of the nature of your team’s assignment, a positive approach will go a long way toward increasing your value as a participant. Maintaining an upbeat attitude will help you accomplish more, better weather negative situations and rally the team.

Practice open communication. Being an effective team player calls for frequent and extensive communication. It is critical for you to fully understand your boss’s expectations. Don’t hesitate to ask for clarification on any directions on which you’re unclear; otherwise the end results may suffer.

It’s also important to apprise your manager, as necessary, on the status of various aspects of the team project. Check with your supervisor to determine how he or she prefers to receive this information and how much detail should be provided.

Offer insight. Executives polled by OfficeTeam said that administrative professionals will increasingly be called upon to assist with recruiting and screening new hires, selecting new office technologies, training coworkers, and supervising work teams. As a result, your insight and feedback on matters will be particularly important. It’s essential that you share your ideas and concerns on projects, point out potential obstacles to success, and suggest ways of streamlining operations and overcoming challenges.

Maintain your professionalism. Don’t let personality differences interfere with your ability to contribute fully to team objectives. Even if you don’t get along well with a particular coworker, you must still find a way to work together effectively. Keep the relationship positive — this means “agreeing to disagree” on a topic, if necessary — since you may have to work side by side with this individual on future projects. More important, you don’t want to be perceived by your team members or your supervisor as a person who has difficulty working with others.

The ability to collaborate effectively has more to do with attitude and mindset than with technical proficiency or specialized training. Flexibility and enthusiasm are key to avoiding the anxiety Susan experienced when she started her new job. When you interact smoothly with a group of professionals, you’ll not only make a greater contribution to your company, you’ll advance your career as well.

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