Are you a team player? That question often comes up in a job interview. Organisations want real team players, because working well together in teams leads to more productivity and success. But how do you recognise a good team player?

"Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress, working together is success." Often attributed to Henry Ford

You recognise a good team player by two pillars: character and communication. In this article, you will read which qualities belong to each pillar. After that, you will find a few questions to discover whether you are a good team player.

Character traits

In a good team player, certain character traits are more strongly present than in others. Good team players have strong empathy, for example. They listen well to their colleagues, show interest and help out where needed.

Another important trait is the ability to adapt to the situation. A good team player is solution-oriented and always strives for the best possible cooperation. If the majority chooses a different approach, a team player accepts that and gets the best out of themselves on that new path. Team players keep to agreements and hold others to them too. They know what is expected of them and check with colleagues whether that is clear to them as well.

That doesn't mean a team player accepts everything without question. Good team players are aware of their own role and that of others, and fill it in as well as possible in their own way. They ask questions when something doesn't add up. That shows they feel responsible for the outcome. For them, the interest of the team comes before their own.

Ask yourself these questions:

  • Can you deal well with change?
  • Are you aware of your role within a team?
  • Do you feel connected to the team's goal?
  • Do you find the outcome more important than your own share in it?
  • Do you know what your strengths are?
  • Can you listen well to others?
  • Do you mainly think in solutions?

Nothing works without good communication

Good communication is the basis of good cooperation. A good team player can make themselves understood well, both verbally and in writing. Team players are often sociable, get on well in the group and create a pleasant atmosphere.

A good team player can also set boundaries well. Where some people don't dare to say they won't meet a deadline, a team player does. That prevents disappointment and angry looks. And if something bothers them, a team player raises it. Problems that are left lying cause friction and, in the long run, poor cooperation. By discussing them straight away, you solve them and can get along together again afterwards.

You see this in research too. Google studied 180 of its own teams and discovered that psychological safety is the most important factor for an effective team: the feeling that you can ask questions, admit mistakes and name problems without fear of negative reactions. Google re:Work A good team player helps create such a climate.

Ask yourself these questions:

  • Can you express yourself well verbally and in writing?
  • Can you make yourself understood well in a group?
  • Can you set your boundaries well?
  • Do you raise problems rather than avoiding them?

Are you a good team player?

So a good team player is responsible, adapts well and is sociable. Do you recognise yourself in these qualities? If you can answer 'yes' to more than half of the questions, you are a good team player. If there is still something lacking, you can of course always work on it.

Also read the secret of good team building and what makes a successful team?

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