How does one become more of a "team player" at school?

Question

At school this week we had to write an assessment of the other girls in our study groups and anyways I was told I need to work on being a better "team player" and that my personality is strong and I always want to be in charge. How does one become a better "team player"? Why can't they just admit I am a "natural leader" I am 16 and go to boarding school.

Thank you and good day.

Answer 1

Hey Lori!

1) As with everything else, practice makes perfect. Why not join a team (debate would be perfect for you!) so you can learn how to work with other people as opposed to taking charge.

2) You can be a leader and a team player simultaneously. The trick is compromise. Instead of saying, "Jessica, do part A, Samantha, do part B, and Ashley, you do part C. I'll do part D," try this next time:
"Ok, between the 4 of us, we have to split 4 parts of the assignment. Who wants to do what, and how can we all make sure that nobody is doing too much or too little?"
Also, be sure not to complain when you get something you don't want. How about:
"Ok, I'll pick last this time, but next time I get to go first. Ok guys?"

3) Another way to be a good team player is to always be organized, prepared and ready-to-go on whatever the group is doing. Let's say you're in charge of taking notes, Jess is in charge of the poster, Ashley's answering the questions and Samantha is writing the essay. Obviously, everyone else depends on your notes. Make sure those notes are detailed, organized and ready for the group to use right off the bat.
I once did a project with two other girls, C and S, and a guy, A. C, S, and A were all prepared with what they needed so I could do my part of the project (it was a film project, so my part involved acting and filming, and they all acted but did a lot of writing). Because they were ready, we were able to have the project done weeks in advance and focus on other things.
Later on, A and I worked on a project with a guy named Z. I had gone away for a few days but contributed a good deal and assumed they would finish (it was in class). However, they did not and when I came back, A was out sick. Unfortunately, Z had not finished his part and A had all the notes! So we had to get help from others for the last part. :( We needed A!

Good luck Lori. I hope I helped in some way or another.

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Answer 2

Sometimes when a person has strong leadership skills other people may just perceive them as being overbearing or bossy..A strong leader should possess the ability to have others work together successfully towards a common goal.A strong leader can encourage each team member to feel they are important to the team. A good leader can draw out each team members stronger qualities. Think about a soccer game.No one person is responsible for winning or losing the game.Defence,offence and good goal tending all help to determine the outcome of a game.No one player can think they are the star .Many a game has been lost because "the star" refused to pass the ball.In short show your interest in other people's ideas and people come to respect your input as well.Hope this helps Lori.Take care.

Answer 3

What is the goal of these "study groups"? Are you all working on a project together for the same grade or are you just studying together for regular tests? Maybe they don't think you're generous enough with the information you have. Are you doing great on the tests and they are not?
Maybe they just heard the phrase "team player" and wanted to use it in their paper because they thought it would be good. It would have been more helpful to give specific examples of how you are *not* a "team player".

Answer 4

I like this question so I will deffinately give you a star. I believe it is great that you are a natural leader. There is nothing wrong with that at all. Being a leader is being a team player. Someone who isn't a team player is someone who doesn't participate in the group assignment. A leader deffinately participates in the assignment. Ignore these people that are rude to you.

Answer 5

Natural leaders are good, they get further in life. The likes of Richard Branson and Bill Gates didn't get where they are today by following others. Keep leading.

If you really want to be more of a team player, then I guess one thing you could do is to listen to what others say and take their opinions into account.

Answer 6

to have good life skills you must be good in teams as well as good in leadership. a true leader serves others, and always does what is best for the team.

Answer 7

Well, if you think you are already a team player, then you have already answered your question. Just be a supportive and hardworking person.