Bag the MVP Medal at Work

The old catchphrase, “There is no ‘I’ in team,” still holds true for any group. To achieve the goal of winning, teamwork is pivotal in any sports team, in a company or association, or even between friends.

Major companies constantly look for a candidate who upholds teamwork and camaraderie. Top executives from Robert Half International, the first and largest staffing firm in the world, stated that team play is crucial in an organization. It enables the employees to meet deadlines, avoid office politics, and sets a positive office vibe.

Now, if you already have technical skills at hand, follow these tips to help you earn you Most Valuable Player medal. It might even make you indispensable to your company:

Focus, focus, focus.
The ability to multitask is a good skill, but make sure that you can focus on your priority tasks. Everyday, you face overwhelming and urgent demands at work, each of which screams for your attention. But don’t let the first thing labeled “urgent” that falls on your desk distract you from accomplishing your more important tasks, such as making a phone call to your client to seal a deal. Remember, an urgent task may not necessarily be a priority task.

Take time to talk to your colleagues and superiors. Get to know your priority tasks, deliverables, and deadlines. This will help you to keep your eye on the ball.

Stop politicking.

Given the varied and sometimes conflicting personalities of employees, gossip and politics are inevitable in the workplace. But don’t use this as an excuse for joining rumor sessions and becoming a gossip-monger. It may help to be aware of political episodes in the office, but be discreet about it, and don’t add fuel to the fire. Having a long tongue makes you unprofessional. Make it a point to practice diplomacy and open and respectful communication with your colleagues.

Don’t join the blame game.

When a colleague makes a mistake, don’t start or join in a blame game. Instead, think of ways to help solve the problem. This will help the entire team go forward. If you made a mistake, be accountable for your actions. This doesn’t make you cocky. Recognizing your mistake makes you mature.

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Give public kudos.

Being singled out for a job well done by your manager is a very good boost to your career. But more often than not, you work with a team and you were able to accomplish your task and exceed your manager’s expectations because of the effort put in by your colleagues. So remember to give credit where it is due. Share the kudos and the spotlight with your teammates. Sharing the company’s glory builds an excellent rapport between colleagues within an organization.

If you have time, try to do more for the team. When you see a coworker having a difficult time with his task, offer a hand. Have a can-do attitude and show your will to go the extra mile. It can give you extra points that can definitely earn you the MVP medal, even the congeniality award!