Are you the Go-To Player?

It’s very common to hear that “teamwork makes the dream work” but today I’ll like to spotlight the wisdom of being the go to person when you work in a team.

It is not every team that delivers great results, even though I believe in teamwork. I believe more that the quality of individuals in a team determines if teamwork will make the dream work. The team that reaches its potential always has great individuals – I like to call them catalysts or talents.

Talents are those people who know how to get things done. Think of the basketball player Michael Jordan or footballers like Messi & Ronaldo. Yes, they are part of a team but when a player needs to take the last shot to win the game, these are the players you call. No matter what the situation is, these players know how to put the team in the position to win the game.

Is that you?

Winning teams have great players who make things happen. Are you such a player?

What is true for sports is also the case for businesses, organisations, churches, associations, industries, etc. When the clock is going down and the game is on the line, are you the kind of person we can bring in to win? The person who is able to deliver, push, pull or carry the team to new levels when the going gets tough is the talent or catalyst.

Are you the talent organisations are looking for?

Every team needs only talent if it wants to have any hope of winning consistently. 

How do you know them? 

In my work experience, I’ve learnt a few things about these people:

1. They have the ability to see what others don’t see. While everyone is seeing and saying the same thing, catalysts or talents usually see differently and correctly. They know how to recognise the weakness in their opponent, and are able to use that to help their team succeed.
2. They speak up. Not everybody who speaks in meetings is a catalyst but Catalysts say things that other team members don’t say in order to get the team moving. They speak to inspire the team members and they are good communicators.
3. They always come with ideas to solve problems because they are mostly thinking things others do not think. Talents think differently from others, and are constantly looking for fresh, innovative ways to do things.
4. They are good implementers. I have met many people with good ideas, but the talents who make things happen are usually very good at implementing their ideas. They do things others cannot do, they like to make things happen.

The major question here is, are you the one who makes things happen in your team?  If you are not, here is my recommendation:

1. Model someone who is a great player. Find someone who makes things happen to help you along the way. People do what people see. If you want to become a great player, model one.
2. Design a growth plan. Put yourself in some sort of a program that helps you develop your skills and talents. You cannot take a team to a higher level if you haven’t gotten there.
3. Get out of your comfort zone. Go beyond what you have done before.

This week, focus on being a great player, then your team will achieve great things. Only quality team members work makes the dream work.