Wanted: Staffers willing to work with the team

GUMBO STAFF REPORT

Ever wonder what the most essential element new hires bring to a job?

When it’s the bottom of the ninth and the bases are loaded, baseball coaches look to the player who can come through in the clutch. The workplace is no different, according to a recent survey.

Forty percent of executives polled cited the ability to meet deadlines as the most important characteristic a team player brings to work. That figure is up slightly from 37 percent in a similar poll conducted in 1997.

Accountemps, a specialized staffing service for temporary accounting, finance and booking professionals, asked 150 senior executives to respond. The executives were from human resources, finance and marketing departments at the nation’s 1,000 largest companies.

Executives were asked, “Which one of the following is the single most important characteristic of being a team player?” Their responses were:

• Meets deadlines – 40 percent (up from 37 percent

in 1997)

• Avoids politics – 25 percent (up from 20 percent)

• Is pleasant to work with – 20 percent (remained the

same)

• Supports his or her manager – 13 percent (down

slightly from 17 percent)

• Don’t know – 2 percent (down from 6 percent)

“The term ‘team player’ has been used so frequently that it’s lost much of its meaning, but it essentially refers to honoring obligations and being supportive of coworkers,” said Max Messmer, chairman of Accountemps and author of “Managing Your Career For Dummies.” “These attributes have always been important, but they’re especially valuable now, given the amount of collaboration required in today’s workplace.”

To become your work team’s most valuable player, Messmer advises staffers to:

• Develop a winning game plan. Set realistic goals and expectations by establishing roles and responsibilities for each member of the team up front.

• Keep your eye on the ball. Prioritize projects so you spend the majority of your time on activities that most directly affect the bottom line, rather than those you can easily check off your to-do list.

• Take one for the team. Don’t play the blame game if something goes awry. Instead, focus on correcting the problem and moving forward. Your willingness to acknowledge mistakes when appropriate will encourage personal accountability in others.

• Play fair. Give credit where it is due, and be generous in your praise. Be sure to thank unsung heroes who contribute to a project’s success.

• Avoid throwing curveballs. Do your part to minimize office politics by engaging in open communication and fostering an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect.