Quiz 10
Am I a Team Player?
Teamwork! You might remember the word from your days playing soccer in middle school or rowing on college crew. But chances are, you are also hearing it in the workplace. Many organizations pride themselves on the successes of their teams and their commitment to the team ethic. Although the trend toward working in teams was initiated several decades ago, it has proved to have staying power, because high-functioning teams have continually produced credible innovations.
But for a team to be high functioning—i.e., for the whole to be greater than the sum of its parts—it must consist of members who possess the skills that teamwork demands. Are you a team player, or would you really rather go it alone?
Take the Test
For each of the following statements, indicate the letter of the statement with which you agree:
1. When you are asked to participate in a team effort at work, you …
a. Do everything you can to avoid the assignment.
b. Look forward to the process.
c. Immediately try to figure out how to get to be team leader.
2. When you are asked to share information with team members, you …
a. Share everything you know.
b. Hold something back—knowledge is power.
c. Fear that someone will challenge you.
3. What is your opinion on brainstorming sessions?
a. They’re a waste of time.
b. They get my juices flowing.
c. I can never seem to get a word in.
4. Who do you believe is more likely to come up with a good solution to a problem?
a. A group working together.
b. A group under clear direction.
c. A smart individual.
5. If your team was failing to reach consensus because of one stubborn individual, you would …
a. Eject or ignore that individual.
b. Allow her to air her objections, and then vote.
c. I am that individual.
6. In general, how likely are you to change your opinion when compelling new information is introduced?
a. Highly unlikely.
b. Not very likely.
c. Very likely.
7. In general, how flexible are you when it comes to trying new methods and techniques for solving a problem?
a. Highly flexible.
b. Not very flexible.
c. Inflexible.
8. In general, what time frame do you employ for solving problems?
a. I like to mull my options over and “sleep on it” if possible.
b. I like to jump on it immediately.
c. I like to stall and hope it will go away.
9. In general, how would you rate your ability to listen?
a. I am usually planning what I’ll say next, rather than listening.
b. I am a careful listener.
c. What’d you say?
10. In general, how do you think fellow team members would describe you?
a. Keeps a low profile.
b. Cooperative, collaborative, creative.
c. A royal pain.
Scoring and Explanation
Give yourself one point for each of your answers that matches the following answer key:
1. B
2. A
3. B
4. A
5. B
6. C
7. A
8. A
9. B
10. B
• A score of 9-10 indicates that you are a valuable team member. You would probably also make a good team facilitator. You have the requisite skill set—including flexibility, patience, and communication savvy. Just as important (perhaps most important of all), you are a true believer in the power of teams. You’d likely agree with anthropologist Margaret Mead, who said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
• A score of 7-8 indicates that you have a moderate level of teamwork skills. Notice where your areas of divergence are. Are you perhaps a little impatient? A tad rigid in your opinions? If you relax a bit and trust the team process, you can make more valuable contributions and actually enjoy working in teams more than you do today.
• A score of 6 or below suggests that you are not comfortable working in a team setting. Perhaps you do work best as a solo act, but it wouldn’t hurt to expand your repertoire in the workplace. You just might discover some new sides of yourself and expand on the magnitude of what you can accomplish.
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