The Ideal Team Player
Team work is crucial in every
organization. It is often necessary
for colleagues to collaborate
where each person acts like a cog
to keep the machine functioning
and serve an individual purpose in
achieving a collective goal. This is
already common knowledge.
However, organizations still have
difficulties in realizing this. Team
work is a challenge because of the
differences between each
member, having their egos,
different views, habits and overall style in handling situations. In Patrick Lencioni’s book “The Ideal Team
Player”, individual team members are the focus of the discussion. Here he defined and explained the
characteristics that make other people better team players than the others.
An ideal team player is humble. Humility is an indispensable trait of a team player. Individual egos must be
put in check and emphasis is put on the team instead on one’s self. Success is defined collectively, rather
than individually. Humble people still recognize their own accomplishments, but they accept their
mistakes and shortcomings. They are quick to point out the contributions of others, slow in putting
attention to themselves and shares credit.
An ideal team player is hungry. They have the desire to work hard, are self-motivated and diligent. There is
commitment in doing tasks well, and to go above and beyond when required. These types of people do
whatever it takes to accomplish goals, volunteer to take on additional tasks if necessary, constantly thinks
about their next step and seize opportunities.
An ideal team player is smart. People smart. Being people smart is being aware of interpersonal situations,
reading it, adapting to it, and to deal with it in an effective and productive manner. They are conscious of
their words and actions and they know its effect to the other team members.
These three characteristics, or virtues as Lencioni suggested, should all be present to make an ideal team
player. If even one is missing, team work becomes more difficult or sometimes even impossible to
achieve. For example, an employee who is only humble and hungry may accomplish tasks but might end
up leaving damage on some interpersonal relationships. A person who is only smart and humble but lacks
the hunger might end up frustrating other team members due to passiveness and lack of initiative. While
a person who is only hungry and smart might make it look as if the collective interest is prioritized but in
truth, his/her personal interest is what he/she is looking out for.
This is why the balance between these virtues is the key to being an ideal team member. Most teams do
not struggle due to the lack of competency but instead, due to difficulties in working together. With these
virtues, existing competencies will be utilized to its full potential and team work will be evident. Let us
assess ourselves, are we a team player?
Glossary
Lencioni, P. M. (2016). The Ideal Team Player: How to Recognize and Cultivate The Three Essential Virtues. New Jersey: John Wiley
& Sons.