Summary of Lessons from "The 17 Essential Qualities of a Team Player" by John C. Maxwell

This is a summary of 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 YOU. Improving yourself will add value to your team. But if you have a leadership role on your team, it is especially vital. Why? Because you can effectively teach only what you consistently model. It takes one to know one, show one, and grow one.

To improve the team, improve the individuals on the team.

As the saying goes, "You can lose with good players, but you cannot win without them." When it comes to having good people on a team, you really have only two choices: train them or trade for them.

Quality #1: Adaptable - if you won't change for the team, the team may change you.

Quality #2: Collaborative - working together precedes winning together.

Quality #3: Committed - there are no half-hearted champions.

Quality #4: Communicative - a team is many voices with a single heart.

Quality #5: Competent - if you can't, your team won't.

Quality #6: Dependable - teams go to "go-to" players.

Quality #7: Disciplined - where there's a will, there's a win.

Quality #8: Enlarging - adding value to teammates is invaluable.

Quality #9: Enthusiastic - your heart is the source of energy for the team.

Quality #10: Intentional - make every action count.

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

Quality #12: Prepared - preparation can mean the difference between winning and losing.

Quality #13: Relational - if you get along, others will go along.

Quality #14:Self-Improving - to improve the team, improve yourself.

Quality #15: Selfless - there is no "I" in team.

Quality #16: Solution Oriented - make a resolution to find the solution.

Quality #17: Tenacious - never, never, never quit.

As John Maxwell closes his book, "Keep growing, keep building your team, and never forget, one is too small a number to achieve greatness! Good luck on your journey."

Donald G Rosenbarger
Senior Vice President
Delta Companies Inc