Have you ever attended an instant theater, improvisational comedy or a theater sport? At such places, I tell you it is always a marvel watch. I once attended a perfect match that was organized by the ABC theater sport in a Manhattan restaurant. In the lights dim, the ABC sports theme fills the air, and the referee enters into the arena in a black and white stripped Jersey. On his neck is a whistle hanging and well positioned. The four bench judges prepare a scorecard, and the referee flips a coin as the four members take their position and the match is on as stipulated (Johnson p. 3). A team member moves forward and within few seconds he explains the rule of the game to his colleagues. Speaking in unison, I heard them bursting a word “As I was walking on the street I met a man who asked for all my clothes he put them and gave me his clothes I asked what are you doingand he said I am cross dressing!” A crowd around the darkened theater enthusiastically cheered and uploaded for the team (Johnson p.7; Nash p. 229). Given just a few suggestion from the audience, the cast always seems to pull off. The process was repeated after every score, and I asked myself, how are they doing it until they manage to win every team in the arena? The winning team took every chance to fulfill their dream of climbing a ladder and to win every single team that they faced. For me, this was one of the exciting games of the year that I ever watched. Truly one grows up when watching this kind of team, it makes you dream of yourself playing at the same level. I realized that they were genuine products depicting the true meaning of the term team player (Johnson p.7; Nash p. 229).
According to your oxford dictionary, the term team player simply refers to a person who “subordinates personal aspiration and works in order to coordinate with other members of the team in achieving a common goal.” It is often described as both instinctive and extinctive characteristic of a person. It is one of the basic components that define a person perpetual accomplishment. As observed by many researchers, the team member usually exhibit varied characteristics that enable him or her to work together with others for the achievement of a common goal (Bowen p. 3).This quality may be exhibited in an organization, family and games. Sports teams are regarded as the best samples on how players may work together in order to win. For instance, one may be just a mid-fielder and poor striker. However as a result of team player spirit, they are quite sure to pass the ball to the best striker and score. Team members always understand that their togetherness always define their ability to win (Bowen p. 6). The fact that everyone plays a separate role makes them help one another during the game (Bowen p. 6).In the business context, a team play is an integral part needed for the future success of the organization. Therefore, the leaders must ensure to be having valid team members at all times in order to succeed in their business(Bowen p. 15).
Various Studies indicates that, there are defining valid characteristics that make up the best team player. These include; emotional stability, extraversion, openness, agreeableness and conscientiousness. Individual emotional stability is one of the key components of a team player. A past study on the military team indicated that team members who are emotionally stable tend to adjust well to unbearable situations. Contrary to their counterparts who are high-strung, nervous and moody, these individuals are relatively slow to adapt to pressing situations (Nash p. 238). Emotional stability is quite crucial for the team interaction, adjustment and self-esteem. Scholars view the extraversion characteristic as a combination of sociability and dominance. The characteristic are very vital in determining the team’s performance. The dominance power reflects the team’s spirit of striving for superiority, influence and control. Dominant teams often have a desire to control the situation and influence others (Bowen p. 20). These team members usually stand firmly on their opinions, perspectives and agenda while working together with other members. Dominant individual’s feels affiliated with others and usually have the desire to achieve together. A good team player also exhibit openness. The openness reflects intellectual, creative and cultural interest. Components of openness such as flexibility are quite vital for team player. Unlike rigid persons who are often stubborn, flexible people view uncertainty as an opportunity and often have a high tolerance to such circumstances (Bowen p. 23). The trait of agreeableness provides warmth, kindness and trust among the team members. Team members of high agreeableness are regarded as honest, supportive and helpful. These characteristics have made researchers agree that agreeableness is the best primary predictor of a team performance in any setting. Finally, conscientiousness; this characteristic has been associated with the varied number of facets such as order, competence and achievement driving. Conscientiousness reflects the team ability to get prepared, organized and works hard in order to complete their duties (Bowen p. 25).
Documentary records indicate that being a good team player might not be a very easy task for every member of the team. Quite often, members of the team are required to exhibit special characters (Nash p. 234). They are required to understand the goals and objectives of the team and understand their role in achieving the goal. At times, the team members may be subjected to tight deadlines and budgets to stay flexible and reliable while exercising their duties. This literature has provided enough emphasis on the various positive characteristics that team members should adopt and the ones that they should avoid. This form of screening is quite vital in eliminating individuals who are unqualified to perform in a team. However, diligence should be observed not to eliminate team members who possess the ability to improve their performance in the long-run. This observation should be across all team members without any form of corruption or nepotism (Nash p. 236).
In conclusion, despite these possibilities, members are argued to use all their strength during a team performance as they are all considered to have something valuable to offer to the team. Team-members are required to continue working together even in hard times and make such situations opportunities. This trend will increase productivity and aspiring sense of cooperation and collaboration that pushes the project forward. Together their attitude will propel their altitude and together they will achieve more. Moreover, they will emerge as winners in most of their activities to become heroes and heroines not only for their nations bet to the entire world.
Works Cited
Bowen,JohnJ,Jr. "Team Players: If Your Employees Don't Share in the Risks-and the Rewards-of Your Business, they Won't be Motivated to do their Best." Financial Planning Aug 01 2006: 1-28.
Johnson, K. C. "BEIJING 2008; U.S. Soars Above the Rest; Women's Basketball Team Dominates in Early Games, as Players Stay Focused More on Gold than Legacy." Los Angeles Times Aug 14 2008. 1-23
Nash, Christine S., John Sproule, and Peter Horton "Excellence in Coaching: The Art and Skill of Elite Practitioners." Research quarterly for exercise and sport 82.2 (2011): 229-38.
