Nikolas Severidt’s Blog

Conventional wisdom dictates that a good team player is someone who is always willing to put the good of the whole above personal interests. While true, we, as individuals, want credit for whatever our contribution was. After all, without that, how will the boss know the difference between your work ethic and value to the company compared to that of sir and madame slacks-a-lot? By the same token, the office suck-up is not exactly the most respected person on the team and others may even refuse to work with him or her. Follow these simple tips to improve your interpersonal skills and avoid becoming the under- appreciated but irreplaceable wallflower.

1. Ask questions. Research the project and go to the first group meeting prepared with intelligent questions about the project and do not be afraid to speak up quickly. Be sure to actually pay attention to the given information to avoid asking something that has already been answered. If you are one of the workers who consistently asks important questions, the boss will remember you more easily and will see that you have done the required “homework.”

2. Smile and listen. You may think someone else’s idea is poorly founded and completely worthless, but after all, you want others to listen to yours.

3. Make others feel appreciated. This is not about false cotton candy fluff, but rather being courteous and helpful to colleagues. It doesn’t matter if you are the best at your job if no one will work with you because of attitude issues. When a team member helps with something, thank him or her – do not take it for granted. If a colleague has a brilliant idea, congratulate him or her and help support it with good ideas of your own.

4. Pick up the slack. Even if an associate is not working as hard as you, it reflects badly on all participants if the project fails. Perhaps the straggling worker is confused or has hit the proverbial mental wall. Bosses notice (even if they don’t immediately acknowledge) employees who are willing to help out their colleagues. Even if you feel as though no one noticed, it is much better than standing out as the person who didn’t assist his or her partner.

5. Mediate conflict. Sometimes an impartial third party in a dispute is the best way to help both combatants see a different perspective on an issue. Disagreements can be difficult to diffuse by the individuals involved if it is over an important issue. Emotion, not logic, all too often leads the way. Be careful not to take sides – instead show the good points in each person’s argument.

6. Know your strengths and improve on weaknesses. If you’re the slowest typist in the office, a project meeting is not the time to improve. Work on weak skills in personal time, and ensure the success of the team project by volunteering to do what you excel at. It will really impress and surprise the boss, however, if you (not known as the best negotiator) are able to show that you have mastered new negotiating techniques.

While some of these ideas may not obviously pertain to helping you get noticed, but becoming known as the employee who is great to work with will earn you more and more projects. People don’t want to work with the heartless cut throat, but rather someone who has not only proven his or her intelligence and capability, but also has shown their willingness to consider others’ opinions.

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Bethany Stringer is a graduate of Texas A&M University (class of ‘08) and has her B.A. in English Literature with minors in History and Psychology. Writing her first story at the age of 5 (with help from Mom), Bethany still enjoys writing and researching about everything from business and history to travel and fiction. Enamored with languages, she plans to teach English in Russia in 2010 as a CELTA certified teacher. She owned her own business working horses when she was 17, and still loves riding her horse Romeo. Always appreciating a challenge, she loves sea kayaking and prefers Rachmaninov to Bach.

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