Are you a team player? It’s a question that is thrown around far too easily, the phrase appears on resumes and LinkedIn profiles at such a prolific rate, I’m not sure most people actually stop and think about the implications of truly being a team player.

And then there is the old cliche, “There is no “I” in team”, and fun little nugget that for the most part is fundamentally wrong. While there is no “I” in the word team, the fact is you can’t spell team without including ME - or you.

So let’s start this over, and really ask the question, are you a team player?

I was talking with a friend of mine who is part of a team at work whose focus is developing new processes to deal with a specific issue involving employees. I can’t get into the details as to the project, but you don’t need to know them to get a handle on the bigger issue.

The team consists of two people. My friend and one other. The issue revolves around the fact that the one other isn’t making an active effort to contribute to the team to accomplish the goals that were set out for the team to accomplish. The team itself is seeking to solve a real issue within the company, but at this moment in time only one of the two members of the team are actively engaged in the process of finding solutions.

And frustration is building as this project is just one of many my friend is tasked with working on, and the need to devote a disproportional amount of time to pick up the slack left by the other team mate opens up the potential the my friends participation on the other projects will suffer.

In considering this topic, there are several key ideas that I think we all can learn from this week and apply to our own lives and the interactions we have with those we come into contact with.

#1. If you are part of a team, it is important for the “ME” to shine, contributing as much as possible to see that the stated goals of the team are accomplished.

#2. Failing to bring yourself fully to the team means others on the team will have to pick up the slack you are creating. You don’t want those other team members going home at night complaining about your lack of contribution.

#3. If you lack direction or knowledge within your role on the team, ASK for help and guidance. I promise you others will be glad to help you succeed because their success is hinged on your success and vice versa.

#4. If you are leading a team, set expectations. If you are a member of the team, ask what expectations are expected from you. And return to those expectations often, as they often develop and change over time.

Think of your participation on a team from a very second grade school yard kind of perspective. Just like kids being chosen for a kickball or dodgeball team, those who excel always get chosen before those who don’t. Now granted, maybe you like myself weren’t the most athletic of kids, but as an adult it is not uncommon for me to be asked to join a team as those asking know that if I join the team, the team will get all of ME meaning the team as a whole has a much high likelihood of success.

When you give your all, the full ME to the team, you set yourself apart and make yourself more valuable to not only that team, but the company or organization itself.

So the challenge this week is to make sure that you always, always, always, bring the full ME to the TEAM you are on.

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Stop Living Life Like a Firefighter

I would wager a bet that you didn’t realize you were a firefighter. Most people will never realize the truth that they live life as a firefighter. I know what you are thinking, I’m not referring to a literal firefighter. No, quite to the contrary, most people live their lives rushing from one crisis to the next, always reacting to the moment.

I don’t need to tell you how much stress that can bring to one's life. Crisis management is a great skill, but certainly not one that needs to come into play day after day after day. And yet day in and day out people rush around seeking to avert one crisis after another, never getting the time to stop given the need to react to crisis after crisis.

Have you ever heard the saying, “Lack of planning on your part does not equal a crisis for me”?

This concept is as relevant in your personal life as it is in your business life.

Living life intentionally and on purpose is a great way to get out of the role of firefighter and gain. Proactively planning your life is a great way to start getting out of the reactionary lifestyle and makes for a much calmer day.

An intentional life is one that is well thought out, planned and deliberate. That doesn’t always mean a crisis can be averted, however when you seek to put structure and order into your life, the likelihood of a crisis is exponentially diminished. Even better - when a crisis is presented - your intentional planning mitigates the circumstances leading to a better outcome than the people presenting the crisis expected.

So what is the takeaway?

How about spending some time this week being intentional about your calendar. Put your time to work for you.

Own it.

Master it.

Most importantly make it your own. Be intentional, be proactive, and hang up your firefighting suit once and for all.

(Did you know you can get Monday Morning Minute delivered to your inbox every Monday morning? Visit PSCoachTN.com and register to have Monday Morning Minute waiting for you each Monday as you start your work week.)