1 Idea💡

Being a "team player" is universally recognized as crucial for success, but what does it mean in practice? Ask five different people, and you'll likely get five different definitions.

In this week’s email, let’s demystify what it takes to be an "Ideal Team Player" with a straightforward model from Patrick Lencioni’s bestselling book, “The Ideal Team Player.”

Let’s see how you and your teammates measure up against the three core virtues identified as essential for leadership and team success:

1. Humility🌱

   Humble team members keep their ego in check, are quick to share credit with others, and maintain a healthy awareness of their strengths and weaknesses.

    

2. Hunger 🍽️

   Hungry team members are intrinsically motivated to learn, grow, and succeed. They strive for excellence and are quick to take on new challenges and responsibilities.

3. (People) Smarts 🧠

   The most effective team members don’t always have the highest IQ. What they do have is an abundance of “people smarts” - an ability to use their social and emotional skills to navigate conflict and complex group dynamics.

In a perfect world, every team would be comprised of only Ideal Team Players.

In the real world, we all fall short of this ideal from time to time.

Let’s take a look at what can happen when we exhibit some, but not all, of the Ideal Team Player attributes. As you read each description, notice if anyone in your work or personal life comes to mind.

🚪“The Doormat” (Humble + Hungry + Smart)

A team member who is humble and hungry but lacks social intelligence often ends up getting walked all over. They work hard and put the team first but may struggle to assert themselves. This can lead to them being overlooked or taken advantage of.

🚜“The Bulldozer” (Humble + Hungry + Smart)

A team member who is driven but lacks humility and social intelligence is often seen as overly aggressive and self-serving. They push for results and are determined to succeed at all costs, but their arrogance and disregard for others’ feelings leads to conflict and resentment.

😏“The Charmer” (Humble + Hungry + Smart)

A person who is socially intelligent but lacks humility and determination is often good at building relationships and navigating social situations, but their lack of ambition and selflessness means they don’t contribute as much as they could.

😬“The Accidental Mess-Maker” (Humble + Hungry + Smart)

This team member means well and works hard, but their lack of social intelligence often results in misunderstandings and friction. They have trouble reading the room, and fail to invest the necessary time and energy into building and maintaining strong relationships.

😎“The Loveable Slacker” (Humble + Hungry + Smart)

Someone who is humble and emotionally intelligent but lacks drive will often fall into the lovable slacker role (Bueller?….Bueller?….). They’re easy to get along with and fun to be around, but they aren’t willing to role up their sleeves, and are quick to shirk responsibility.

🗣️“The Skillful Politician” (Humble + Hungry + Smart)

The socially intelligent team member without humility manipulates situations to their advantage. They’re often willing to sacrifice team cohesion and relationships for short-term personal success.

How to Become an Ideal Team Player

Get Humble

To boost humility, practice active listening and seek feedback from your peers. Acknowledge your mistakes and celebrate your team’s achievements rather than focusing solely on your own.

Get Hungry

Cultivating hunger involves setting ambitious yet achievable goals. Look for opportunities to expand your responsibilities and challenge yourself. Stay curious and open to learning new skills.

Get Smart

Improving your emotional intelligence starts with self-awareness. Pay attention to how your actions and words affect others. Practice empathy by considering different perspectives and building strong, genuine relationships with your team.

In closing, we all have a unique combination of skills, experiences and personalities that influence how we operate in a team environment.

Honestly reflecting on the ways in which we tend to fall short (recovering Loveable Slacker here🙋‍♂️) is the first step on the journey to becoming an Ideal Team Player.

Did this week’s topic resonate with you? Hit ‘reply’ and let me know!

See you next Wednesday,

Darin

(If you’re new here, feel free to sign up using the subscribe button below)