Be a team player and set the world on fire

'No man is an island, entire of itself.' No woman, either.

When you look at the amazing world around you, you have to hand it to human beings. For example, working together over time, in teams ranging from two people in a shed to thousands of coordinated workers, they have created the technology you are using now to sit at home at your computer and read these words about being a team player from far away. No one person could even conceivably have achieved this on their own.

Just a few seconds thought reminds you that nearly everything in the world you live in now is the cumulative result of people working together. There is simply no question that team work and team skills are the vital ingredient for success in any endeavor, whether you want to win a ball game or build a jumbo jet or succeed in business.

There's nothing tougher than getting people to work in a team

While all the above may be true, you can't have helped noticing that working with other people is one of the most difficult things you can do. People are just born disputatious, it seems. Every team struggles with the differences of opinion, with the attitudes of the 'prima donna' types who want all the credit, with the slackers who don't pull their weight.

The challenge for the individual team player

And if you are perhaps less naturally gregarious than others, or more inclined to 'do your own thing', you can find the demands of being a team player taking a toll on you. You may find yourself becoming stressed when conflicts arise, or feel that your contribution is not sufficiently valued, or even that you are being side-lined because you don't 'fit in'.

What you can do to be more of a team player

Whatever our circumstances, personality, or preferences, we all actually have a need to feel connection with other people. We evolved to work in groups, and research has shown that people with strong social ties are measurably healthier than people who live more isolated lives. (1)

When you understand that being part of a team both fulfils a basic need and enhances your prospects of success in almost everything, you can begin to see the demands of team membership in a different light. Even if you feel you lack natural team skills, you can acquire them. Being a good team player is an art you can learn.

Start being a better team player today - unconsciously

There is no shortage of material on how to be a good team player. You can scour the internet and the bookshops for help with developing essential team skills like adaptability, collaboration, commitment, communication, creativity, tenacity and focus on the goal.

But you don't need to wait until you've read all that to get started.

Be a team player will give you a kick start on your road to becoming the person everyone wants to have in their team. Be a team player starts with unconscious motivation. Instead of focusing on your conscious goals and your will power, it will help you to reconnect with your deepest drives and gain power from them.

Because will power is not involved, Be a team player makes developing the mindset you need to do well and be well in group endeavor easy and effortless.

Download Be a team player now and make the most of being in your team.

(1) Berkman LF, Glass T, Brissette I, et al. 'From social integration to health: Durkheim in the new millennium', Social Science and Medicine 2000; 51(6): 843-57.