Abstract: Much has been written about teams and team leadership. However, team members can make or break a team. This article looks at the characteristics of effective team members.

Much has been written over the years about teams, leadership, and empowerment. The focus has been on the leader. Teams, however, are made up of more follower/members than leaders. High Performance Teams are made up of high performing team MEMBERS.

Are you an effective team member? Effective team members:

· Support the team leader

· Help the team leader to succeed

· Ensure that all viewpoints are explored

· Express opinions, both for and against

· Compliment the team leader on team efforts

· Provide open, honest, and accurate information

· Support, protect, and defend both the team and the team leader

· Act in a positive and constructive manner

· Provide appropriate feedback

· Understand personal and team roles

· Accept ownership for team decisions

· Bring problems to the team

· Recognize that they each serve as a team leader

· Participate voluntarily

· Balance appropriate levels of participation

· Maintain confidentiality

· Show loyalty to the company, the team leader, and the team

· View criticism as an opportunity to learn

· State problems, along with alternative solutions/options

· Give praise and recognition when warranted

· Operate within the parameters of team rules

· Confront the team leader when his or her behavior is not helping the team

· Share ideas freely and enthusiastically

· Encourage others to express their ideas fully

· Ask one another for opinions and listen to them

· Criticize ideas, not people

· Avoid disruptive behavior such as side conversations and inside jokes

· Avoid defensiveness when fellow team members disagree with their ideas

· Attend meetings regularly and promptly

This information comes from Participative Leadership, a module in Entelechy’s High Performance Teams program. Check out our 40 customizable modules, training tools, and eGuides at www.unlockit.com.