Feel The Wave

Where you begin your personal growth journey.

Tag: Teamwork

  • What Makes a Great Team Member? | How to Build Stronger, Happier Teams

    We’ve all been part of a team — in sports, at school, or at work. Even your family and community are forms of teams. Every member has a role to play, and some naturally take on more than others. In larger groups, it’s often hard to see who isn’t contributing because individual efforts blend into the crowd. But in smaller settings, especially at work, it quickly becomes clear when someone isn’t pulling their weight.

    Most of us know what it’s like to have a team member who doesn’t do their part, misses deadlines, or blames others. It creates stress and frustration for everyone else. Over time, that lack of accountability becomes discouraging, and depending on that teammate feels pointless.

    If you’re honest, maybe you’ve been that person once — making excuses or missing your own commitments. That’s okay, as long as you learn from it. One of the most common excuses people give is that they were waiting on someone else for information. If that’s the case, plan for it next time. Build it into your timeline, ask sooner, and follow up early so you can stay on track. It’s not always ideal, but it’s part of learning how to work well with others.

    So what does an ideal team look like? It’s made up of great team members. But what exactly makes someone a great team member?

    A great team member loves what they do. They stay curious, eager to learn, and continue to grow even after mastering the basics of their role. They embrace change, collaborate openly, and share their honest opinions — whether they agree or disagree. They want the best for everyone, including themselves, and take responsibility for their mistakes. Their strong work ethic sets a standard that inspires others.

    A great team member brings a sense of joy to the group. They freely share ideas instead of holding them back out of fear. They show up authentically and accept others as they are. They communicate honestly — if they can’t meet a deadline, they say so early, not after someone asks for an update. They build trust by being transparent and reliable.

    Strive to be that teammate every day. Keep learning and trying new things, even when failure is possible — because growth often comes from risk. Of course, you’re human. Not every day will be full of energy or enthusiasm. You’ll have off days, and that’s when great teammates step in to support you. Appreciate their help and remember — those days don’t last forever.

    As long as the team stays balanced, with most members engaged and inspired, it will thrive. That’s how great teams — and great team members — are made.

    Take care.

  • The Power of Collaborative Work

    The Power of Collaborative Work

    What does collaboration bring to a team? There are many advantages to working together toward a common goal. For example, collaboration allows team members to share their skills, bring their unique perspectives, build trust, respect one another’s opinions, and both give and receive feedback.

    However, for collaboration to truly work, the team must share a common set of values. In a collaborative environment, respect, open-mindedness, and trust are essential. Respect the ideas of others. Keep an open mind and try to see both sides of a disagreement. Trust that your team members are offering feedback to help you grow.

    You also need a safe space to share ideas. Without it, trust is difficult to build, and team members may hesitate to accept or contribute to your ideas. Make sure the team’s values are clear and known by everyone.

    Once values are established, the next step is deciding what happens when agreements are made. That’s where accountability comes in. Team members who bring ideas forward—or are tasked with moving a project along—must be accountable for their part in the process. Shared expectations might also include starting and ending meetings on time, preparing an agenda in advance, letting others finish their thoughts before speaking, and ensuring that everyone participates.

    Clear rules help ensure respectful collaboration. For example, disagreements are welcome if they’re handled with respect. If a disagreement cannot be resolved within five minutes, put a pin in it and return to it later—or schedule a separate meeting. Disagreements can feel uncomfortable, but open and honest communication, combined with active listening, often leads to stronger solutions.

    A safe environment with clear rules also creates space for healthy challenges. This gives team members the chance to achieve things they didn’t think they could. The same applies to you—others will challenge you as part of the team culture. These challenges help everyone expand their skills, build self-confidence, and take the next step in their careers. When collaboration is used effectively, it creates mentors all around you. It’s about co-creation to build something better.

    Collaboration teaches team members to communicate clearly and to explain ideas in ways everyone can understand. Every team is different because no two people are alike, so it’s important to recognize how each person prefers to work. Still, one thing is universal: everyone wants to be heard and respected.

    No matter your role, you can be the catalyst for better collaboration by challenging yourself, being open to new ideas, and encouraging others to share. Challenge them respectfully, and they’ll thank you later.

    Take care.