Re: "Team Player" - Please Define?

[Dianne Blake <write-it -at- home -dot- com>]

Anthony Markatos wrote:
> 
> Question for all listserv members:
> 
> I am looking at a tech comm job listing that states that the future 
> employee must be a "team player".  What is meant by this?  Specifics 
> please.
> 
> Digression:  I have always been a firm believer in the old business 
> saying, "Only two percent(2%) of all people [employees] are problem 
> solvers, the rest are just along for the ride."  My belief in such 
> makes it very hard for me to envision a true "team" environment - 
> where everyone assumes an equal portion of the more difficult tasks.
> 

My belief is that they are looking for someone with the following
qualifications:

  * Someone who doesn't have to be supervised all the time (e.g.
    no babysitting required)
  * Someone who can contribute ideas without getting over protective
    of their own ideas
  * Someone who is productive - e.g. can work lots of extra hours 
    without complaint
  * Someone who won't rock the boat (no compaining about processes 
    or policies please)
  * Someone not afraid to try new things and jump in and do tasks
    that are not necessarily in their job description

I think that about does it.

Problem is, if you add a team player to a team that doesn't really act
as a team, then you end up with one person trying to make up for the
deficiencies of the team.  This person gets "used up" and is usually
hated by the team for "showing them up".

Just my .02.  :D
-Dianne Blake
write-it -at- home -dot- com