Qualities of a Team Player - MISSION CONSCIOUS

We are continuing our growth by developing teamwork skills utilizing the lessons contained in John C. Maxwell’s book titled The 17 Essential Qualities of a Team Player. This book carries the subtitle “Becoming the kind of person every team wants”. Developing a better team always begins with the individuals. To improve the team, improve the individuals on the team.

Quality #11:Mission Conscious - the (BIG) picture is coming in loud and clear.

"The secret of success is constancy to purpose." - Benjamin Disraeli

"He who has a 'why' to live for can bear almost any 'how'." - Friedrich Nietzsche

The four qualities of all mission-conscious players:

1. They know where the team is going
   1. Author W. Clement Stone stated, "When you discover your mission, you will feel its demand. It will fill you with enthusiasm and a burning desire to get to work on it."
   2. That sense of desire - and direction - is as indispensable for a team to be successful as it is for any individual.
   3. It's difficult to maintain a mission-conscious mind-set on a team that lacks a mission.
   4. A team isn't really a team if it isn't going anywhere.
2. They let the leader of the team lead
   1. Mission-conscious team players who have committed themselves to a team allow the leader of the team to do the leading.
   2. Any time a team member hinders the leader, it increases the possibility that the team will be hindered in its goals.
   3. However, mission-conscious players understand what leadership expert Warren G. Bennis articulated: "Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality."
   4. For a team to win, the leader must be allowed to lead.
3. They place team accomplishments ahead of their own
   1. Teamwork always requires sacrifice.
4. They do whatever is necessary to achieve the mission
   1. If success can come to the team only by your compromising, trying something new, or putting your agenda on hold, then that is what you need to do.
   2. Good team players see more than the details of the moment. They are always conscious of a team's mission and act to help achieve it.

To improve your mission consciousness:

• Check to see if your team focuses on its mission.
• Find ways to keep the mission in mind.
• Contribute your best as a team member.

Donald G Rosenbarger
Senior Vice President
Delta Companies Inc