10 Ways You Can be a Useful Team Member

Just because Thanksgiving is over, doesn’t mean you should cease the holiday cheer until further notice or Christmas. Instead, use this time to reflect back on your efforts as a team member and what you do or don’t do that contributes or takes away from your business. Being a useful team member doesn’t have a guide or steps you have to take, it’s really all about consideration and how you can best use your position, title, or duties in such a way that can help or positively impact those around you. Even if you think you’re an outstanding team member, it’s important to see where you lack too, if not to benefit others then to humble yourself. Basically, no matter your position or title, there are simple ways that you can improve the ways in which you are useful.

  1. Willingness- Honestly, this is such an easy way to boost your utility within the office and around your co-workers. Promoting a willingness, whether it be helping out here or there or even volunteering to plan or work on something that may not be within your job description. By simply saying “I’m willing to try”, whether you’re successful or not, it boosts your reliability and allows those who really need help a chance to breathe for a minute or two.

  2. Encourage- This is another easy and heartfelt way to be of use to those you work with. Encourage them! It doesn’t have to be mushy or overly-emotional, just a “Great Job” or “Nice Work” or “I love that” here and there is an awesome way to encourage and also validate those that you work with. Everyone wants to hear that the work they’re doing is great. A bit of encouragement every now and then, especially if you feel as though someone in your office is struggling, is an awesome way to increase your office utility as a caring co-worker.

  3. Respond- Again, another no-brainer, but respond to people on time! No one wants to send an email or a message and get no response, especially if it’s a timely matter and something that needs a resolution. It should go without saying that responding to your co-workers promptly about anything, not just urgent matters is a courtesy that they deserve. Even if it’s just a “Hey, saw your email, will get back to you before lunch” - that acknowledgement of a person’s time and needs goes a long way - especially if they’re busy.

  4. Connect- Whether you view this as useful or not, making a connection with other employees is a great way to open up that line of communication that will allow them to seek out our for assistance or encouragement. Especially if someone is new or having a hard time, making that effort and connecting with them can make that person’s day. And, it also makes you a friend, ally, confidant, and a source of comfort for your peers, which is extremely important that others don’t feel alone or disconnected from the rest of the office.

  5. Allow for Feedback- Whether you’re a high level employee or someone at the bottom of the totem pole, allowing a space for feedback is huge. Feedback gives others a voice that they may not have otherwise and is extremely considerate. If you don’t want sixty different opinions, consider a survey so that way there is room for feedback, but it’s controlled feedback and you can warrant the responses you’re looking for. It’s important too, when you’re asking for feedback that you welcome honesty. It’s fine to want controlled feedback but just make sure it allows for honesty and a space where others feel as though they can respond with how they feel or think without repercussions. There’s nothing worse than asking for feedback and leaving no room for honesty. You don’t want your employees or those you manage to be fearful to speak up.

  6. Critique Not Criticize- On the flip side of that, if you have to give feedback or someone wants your opinion, be sure to critique them. Don’t criticize. There’s a huge difference between these similar terms. Critiquing is more constructive - it gives a solution to the problem and let the other person know that this is what you should fix and here’s how. Criticizing is more malicious - seeking out all issues, nitpicking, and leaving no room for a solution. Your tone can also make all the difference and can shift from an honest critique to harsh criticism. Be sure to remain mindful of others feelings and their work.

  7. Give Credit Where Credit is Due- Come on, swallow your pride and give credit! If someone works hard on something, or, even if they don’t, give them credit. There’s nothing worse than submitting a project or completing a task and having another member of your team not credit you for all of your work. Be honest, that’s one of the best gifts you can give those you work with.

  8. Think Independently- Thinking independently while still working on a team is a skill in itself, however, if you’re able to make those decisions and think on your own, you can start to take those necessary liberties to better yourself. It’s important to know what your boss expects of you, but at the same time, you must make decisions on your own of how to direct a blog or to lead a meeting.

  9. Listen- As much as willingness is important, listening and being attentive is just as important. Willingness and constructive critiques mean nothing without attention to your concerns, plans, tasks, or duties.

  10. Be Positive- All of these tips just to say, be positive. None of it is worth it if you’re a negative co-worker. That does nothing to encourage, critique, or listen - it simply makes you a dark cloud that looms about the office, wanting to be avoided. Try to be optimistic and come to work with a good attitude everyday and you’ll certainly be a more approachable and useful team member

Have more ways to become a thoughtful team member? Let us know. We would love your input.