5 Characteristics of a Great Teammate
The social aspect of team sports is a critical factor to an athlete’s motivation, dedication, commitment, and work ethic. Even outside of sports, the answer to “do you like your job?” likely depends on the relationships you have with your coworkers. Athletes who care about the overall results of the team must put effort into adding to the team culture and chemistry in a positive way. Here are 5 characteristics of a great teammate.
Communication Skills: Good teammates are effective communicators who can get their point across, engage in meaningful conversations, and make others feel comfortable. They actively listen to others, express their thoughts and ideas clearly, and provide constructive feedback with confidence. They encourage open and honest communication within the team, fostering a supportive and collaborative environment.
Reliability: A good teammate is dependable, trustworthy, and is always “there.” They consistently follow through on commitments, meet deadlines when necessary, and fulfill their responsibilities to themselves and to the team. If someone is a great teammate, you know what you’re going to get from them on a day to day basis.
Emotional Intelligence: Understanding what others want, need, and are striving for is an important aspect of being a good teammate. Support can look different based on the individual’s needs. Knowing who would benefit from an arm around their shoulders, a stern moment of feedback, or who may be struggling with something that requires more help is a helpful skill.
Adaptability: A good teammate is flexible and adaptable to changing circumstances both regarding themselves and the team as a whole. Seasons (such as life) rarely go as smoothly as anticipated. Good teammates embrace new ideas, approaches, and feedback. They are open to learning and willing to adjust their strategies and actions to better align with the team's needs.
Positive Attitude: A positive attitude can greatly impact team dynamics and morale. Good teammates bring optimism, enthusiasm, and their attitude is not based on the success of their individual performance. They inspire and motivate others, even during challenging times. Their positive energy contributes to an atmosphere that leads others to feel excited to show up to practice every day.
This, of course, is not an exhaustive list. An athlete can be successful as an individual, but to improve the team and everyone’s overall experience and enjoyment, we should strive to become better teammates with skills that can be practiced and developed.
