What the peep is a Team Player ?
You know, I have always had this anger building inside of me. Every time I hear it, I flinch. Every time I read about it, I clench my fists, and bare my teeth. And every time someone mentions it in a context I think is crazy, I nearly lose it.
Well, what set off the ticking time bomb then ? Why rant about it suddenly ? Couple of things- My exams just got over, and I finally (finally x n! times) have time to myself, I was just recently profile jumping through Linkedin (that’s right, I stalk people on Linkedin and not Facebook) and something on the page caught my eye – it said ‘Good Team Player’!! Well, I did the next thing best to punching the floor. I switched tabs, and started punching on my keyboard furiously.
(Ok, now that the anger is out of the way, phew!) Well, to be honest, I think being a good (quote)team player(unquote) is important. But you know what’s more important ? Defining that term correctly.
Here’s what a good team worker is in my opinion,
Person a: Hey, how’s work coming along ? Person b: Great. Very nearly done with everything. I think we should be able to complete ahead of schedule. How are things coming along at your end ? Person a: That’s awesome. Pretty good too.….. sometime later
Person b: Hey, can you help me with a little something. I seem to be stuck. Person a: Sure, let’s head over to your desk.….. and 2 minutes later.
Person b: Thanks mate. Let me get back to work then. Thanks a bunch.…… and for 2 months they never have to bother each other. See, that’s how things work. You always help each other out. Person a is a good team player.
Now here’s another scenario:
Person c: Hey, how’s work coming along ? Person d: Listen dude, I am really awfully stuck here. You need to help me out. Really. Person c: Oh, so how far have you gotten ? Person d: See, that’s part of the issue. I was never really sure what I was supposed to do. If you can come take a look at it, I am sure “we” as “a team” can get it done in practically no time. Person c: Gee, sorry, but I have some work to do on my own. Maybe you should talk to someone else. Manager to Person c: You did an outstanding job on your part/schematic/circuit/code. You even finished it a full week before it was due. But see, you could have helped Person d. You need to be a better team player. You get a “B-”. Let’s try to do better next time. Person c: That’s it – I QUIT!!….. See, Person c there is obviously not a team player, right ? Right ? See, that’s why I get green when someone pulls that “team player” crap on me.
Now here’s a “team player instead”
Person d: See, that’s part of the issue. I was never really sure what I was supposed to do. If you can come take a look at it, I am sure “we” as “a team” can get it done in practically no time. Person e: Oh, you know, even I don’t know what I am doing. Let’s head over to your desk and figure things out, then we will head over mine and figure things out.…. after a week of plodding through and making no progress,
Person d/e: Person c – can you help us out ? We are stuck. Manager to d/e: You guys really worked hard this quarter. Sure, some things could have been better, but I have never seen such wonderful camaraderie and team spirit. You guys are good “Team Players”. An “A” for you two then.Moral of the story: Everybody has their interpretation of Team Player, but if you are on the losing team, it doesn’t matter – you lost. (So, if you are on the losing team, and think you fit the description of Person c, what are you doing reading this post, quit now!!)
P.S: Mahendra Singh Dhoni – if you read this, please don’t use this as an excuse to ask Sachin to Retire. (even if Srinivasan things you deserve an A)
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