The secret of sucessfull team work
There is one key personality trait that differentiates good teams from sucessfull teams. Find out what it is!
Do you know what the key to successful teamwork is?
For a long time, I thought that it was about good communication, planning, and accountability. However, I recently found out what it actually is.
Being a giver.
That’s it. That is what differentiates a good team from a successful team.
What does that mean?
Givers enjoy helping others without wanting anything in return. In a group setting, givers put a group’s interest ahead of their own. They do the work which no one else wants to do, without feeling like the others have to do the next step. They care about the success of others and actively look for ways to help.
I get what you might think now. “Why do I need to do all the work? Don’t we work in a group to split the work? Why should I step up and do everything, that’s not my job…”
Think about it this way:
By stepping up and doing the work that no one else wants to do, you increase your own and the group’s overall success.
You will build a great reputation and trust among your peers. You might not see it immediately, but most of the time, the others in your group will feel like they owe you something. But note: This should not be your key motivation. Don’t do the work because you expect the others to “pay” you back at some point.
So what should you do now? I will give you a few examples of what you can practise being a giver in your personal and professional life.
Professionally:
In your, next group work, don’t get frustrated when your group is not doing the work. This is an opportunity to step up and do the work that no one else wants to do. Find ways to help others and take responsibility for the group’s success.
Stop talking. Be open to hearing the feedback and concerns of others. Instead of giving advice, ask for advice. If you see that your team member is struggling, ask them to explain their situation and prompt them with questions such that they find out their problem themselves.
Personally:
Don’t ask your friends to pay you back after you go out to eat. I know that for the Germans reading, this might sound crazy haha. However, trust me. If you want to build a deep and trusting relationship, you don’t want your friends to pay you back.
Bring gifts when you meet your friends. A small gesture shows that you care about the person you are meeting.
These are just a few things to get you started. Becoming a true giver requires practice. Most importantly, however, it starts with the right attitude. As long as you don’t truly care about others and always put yourself first, no action of yours will feel credible to your peers.
I hope you find any value in what I talked about today. If you did, as always, share this with your friends or colleagues to get them on the same track.
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