This month, Frankly Speaking posed the question “What qualities or characteristics make someone a great teammate?” to the student body of Olin. The following are the responses we received.
Doing good work on time, accepting feedback, always making sure the team is on track and actively making sure the team meets deadlines, not showing up late for meetings, never assuming that someone else will do the work for you, being open to learning new things for the team but not to the extent that it holds back the team (so if it would hold back the team, you learn it on your own time, not during meetings). – Anonymous
Be communicative and responsive. Let me know how your work is going, if there are any setbacks, if you need more time, if things are done, etc. Don’t leave your teammates in the dark until your meeting – it kills meeting productivity when no one knows what to expect. – Brett Rowley
Honesty about what they will and won’t be able to do. Clear communication. Showing up to meetings and to class, and staying on topic during meeting. Calm under pressure, and a focus on fixing the problem rather than casting blame when things don’t work. Caring about the project. – Anonymous
Someone who is patient and diligent. – Anonymous
The ability to listen. The concept of “ideating” is huge at Olin – but in the process of generating ideas, it’s very easy to drown out quieter team-members and to shut down a weird or wacky concept. A successful team that has everyone invested precedes a successful project. We need to remember to foster serious listeners as well as visionaries. – Liani Lye
Not wanting to meet except when actually necessary or helpful.
Doing tasks that are helpful.
Doing the tasks quietly and not asking for things in return.
Gives feedback in a considerate way, but still gives it.
Doesn’t judge.
Listens.
Accepts they can be wrong and that the team’s idea is most likely better than his or her own.
Likes the project.
Flexible.
Understands that scheduling should happen with consideration and with as much fore planning as possible.
Understands that people work best in different ways and helps people work in a way that works for both that person and the team. – Anonymous
Plans things early.
Reacts to difficulties with humor, not anger.
Expresses clearly the facets of a project that are interesting to that person, and enquire about their teammate’s preferences.
Clearly willing to put time and effort into the project – “cares about it.”
If they don’t care about it, express that early and still do an acceptable minimum amount of work.
Don’t waste meeting time, though a certain amount of having fun is acceptable. :) – Anonymous
Next month’s question: “Why do you choose to participate in the clubs and student
