Every organization relies on team effort to get the job done.  We hear the infamous phrase all the time.. You know the one, “ Teamwork makes the dream work,” but have you ever stopped to think about what that phrase actually means?

Effective teamwork in the workplace can be an unstoppable force. Various studies have shown that teamwork increases employee satisfaction, employee retention, and employee performance. Teamwork has become such an important key to success that many top recruiters rank it in the top five skills they are looking for in a potential new hire. If you’ve ever worked in a team that really clicks, you know exactly why.

Work becomes fun, rewarding and motivating when you’re surrounded by other go-getters that work just as hard for the common goal. There is also something about peer pressure in a team environment that causes a unique accountability amongst coworkers; noone wants to let down their teammates!

However, in order for a team to be successful, every teammate has to put up their fair share of the bargain. A team is only as strong as its weakest player and remember that thing about peer pressure? Noone wants to be the weak link. The more each individual perfects their own skillset, the stronger the team gets as a whole.

Here are the 5 ways to be a better team player:

1. Strive for Excellence– Team players are genuinely committed to the cause and will do what it takes to get the job done. They take responsibility for their tasks and complete them in order of priority, not necessarily in the order that they’re given. They never make their responsibilities seem more important or challenging than those of their teammates.

2. Listen more than you speak– When you’re apart of a team, you must respect the viewpoints of others. Each team members’ uniqueness is a key advantage to being a part of a team. We don’t all see things the same way. Team players are open to the experience and perspective of their teammates. They never think what they have to say is more important than that of their coworkers. They invite debate and exploration of all possibilities. The end result is a more deeply examined idea which will increase its success.

3. Over Communicate– A game time audible cannot be successful without proper communication to all players. Each team member contributes a unique skill or talent that makes them ideal for certain tasks. Keep all of your teammates informed on what their responsibilities are and how each task contributes to the cause. Valuable company time can be lost if communication fails and responsibilities are either unclear or everyone on the team is working on the same task.

4. Always be ready to help– Even if it is not in your job description, offer help and support when it is needed or asked for. Team players do not use the words, “that’s not my job.” When you’re apart of a team, the job getting done is everyone’s responsibility and that may mean picking up the slack of others at times.

5. Recognize when you’re wrong– A good team member appreciates that a group of unique individuals with a variety of skills and experience provide a system of checks and balances. What one person fails to recognize, may be picked up by another. No one is perfect and mistakes will happen. Don’t let a correction from a coworker upset you, appreciate the extra set of eyes that will in turn help you improve your skill set.

So whether you’re running an automated spa or a Fortune 500 company, effective teamwork will be your key to success.

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Written By: Alyssa Burnham, Franchise Performance Coach