Trying To Hit It Out of The Park?
The 5 things Team Players Focus on for Success
I was recently working with a client who had just landed a contract after a long stint doing free-lance work, and it mattered a lot to her to do a great job in her new position. She admitted that her secret wish was to really “hit it out of the park”. And although this is a pretty unsurprising thing to admit, what I heard in her voice was a feeling of heaviness. It became the focus of our session. How to overcome the egoic “I” thinking, when we are overly concerned about our own personal stats than being a good team player.
We ended up the session with a set of action items that were in her control, that felt lighter; designed to help her work smarter, rather than longer and harder than anyone else.
Thinking more about the baseball analogy, I did some research on what it means to be a good team player, as opposed to striving to “hit it out of the park”. Borrowing the headers from the article, Being A Good Baseball Teammate Is A Mindset, Not A Skill, I adapted the advice for the workplace.
Hustle No Matter What
Not every day is going to turn out great for your team, but hustling shows that you’re there no matter what. By showing that you are doing the best you can up until the end of the day, you earn the respect of your co-workers
Never Throw Your Equipment
When you’re feeling frustrated after a presentation gone bad, having a temper tantrum, even if it doesn't include throwing your coffee cup, tells your co-workers that you’ve checked out. Showing some decorum will indicate to the team that you are still approachable and “in the game”.
Don’t Single Others Out for a Bad Day
When one of your co-workers can’t get out of first gear, show empathy and support, because you’ve been there too. Putting them down will only bring the entire team down.
Always be Mentally Prepared for the Field
In baseball terms, this means knowing your field position and what you’ll do before the ball is pitched. Be mentally prepared for your work day by setting an intention for how you’ll execute your role.
Bring the Same Fun and Intensity Every Game
Just like players in a dugout, if you bring energy and excitement with you to work, it will impact your entire team.
You’ll make a greater impact on a regular basis when you show up as a team player, and place less focus on being the talented super star.
There’s nothing wrong with you if you need a little bit more help with how you show up at work. Sometimes we just need that external voice to put us on the right path again. A coach can help frame things in a way that doesn't leave you feeling defensive; it makes a big difference to talk to somebody who’s job is to listen to you. If this speaks to you right now, I invite you to click on the link below to check my availability for a complimentary conversation.