The 17 Essential Qualities of a Team Player

We’re Stylin’ Now…

The CompassAn Informal Leadership Style Inventory

WHAT? North, South, East or West

WHY? To understand the leadership style of all members of our team

HOW? Read each direction and decide which one best describes you. Proceed to the section of the room labeled with that compass direction

No one style is best…just different!

ODifferences are valuable.

OEach type has different:OpreferencesOstrengthsOweaknessesOpoints of view.

At times differences can create

difficulties and clashes, but

when we understand our

differences, we can find ways

to work together and turn

those differences into

strengths!

NORTHO You take chargeO You have lists of things to do and you

need to get started and get them done. O You get assignments in early. O You don’t have to ask questions to

begin your work or assignment. O You drive the work and get it done. O You stitch the mosaic together and do

the work

EASTO You have the big picture, the frame that

needs to be filled in. O You need to see the final product and

will work with the end in mind. O You believe in working backwards,

understanding by design. O You don’t get a project started until you

are clear about the final product. O You know what the mosaic looks like in

the end.

WESTO You ask the hard questions. O You live by inquiry. O You challenge us to identify the details. O You don’t start a project until you are

clear about the details. O You make the picture more complete. O You lead by inquiry and engage in

thoughtful discourse. O You fill in the details of the mosaic.

SOUTHO You take in the information, slow us down, and

make sure everyone has voice and is heard. O You include everyone, and make sure the

human side is nurtured. O You take care of us and bring up our affective

domain. O You make sure the emotional side of our work is

heard. O You make sure we are all included. O You add beauty to the mosaic, make sure

everyone participates in the creation, and keep all comfortable.

NORTH: “Just do it!”O Gifts:

O Goal/task focused O Moves toward action O Thinks in terms of bottom line O Enjoys challenge of difficult situations O Perseveres, not stopped by obstacles O Enjoys assuming leadership role

O In Excess: O Decision making not well thought out O Can grow impatient O Can be impulsive, disregard practicalities O Can step on toes, hurt other’s feelings O May have difficulty delegating. Just do it!

EAST: “If you can dream it, you can do it!”

O Gifts: O Visionary Big picture thinkerO Idea oriented, creative and innovativeO Insight into mission & purposeO Very optimistic, positive attitudeO Enjoys exploration and experimentationO Appreciates a lot of information

O In Excess: O Often loses focus O Can have poor follow-through O Lacks attention to detail O Is not bound by time, may miss deadlines O Tends to be enthusiastic early on, but may get bored

over the long haul.

WEST: “Quality is job #1!”O Gifts:

O Critical thinker, explores all sidesO Decision making based on data & logicO Viewed as practical and thoroughO Introspective and self-analyticalO Skilled at finding ‘fatal flaws’O Detail, planning focus

O In Excess: O Can become locked into a positionO Can be indecisive, slow to take actionO Gets mired in details (analysis paralysis)O Can seem withdrawn, distantO May seem to resist change.

SOUTH: “Reach out and touch someone!”

O Gifts: O People orientedO Value-driven O Interaction and relationship are primary O Team player, builds on ideas of othersO Good listener, very supportiveO Decision-making based on intuition

O In Excess: O May have trouble saying noO Can be taken advantage of easilyO Often internalizes anger, assumes blameO Is focused on present, not the big pictureO May have difficulty dealing with conflict.

HOW TO WORK WITH A NORTH

OPresent your case clearly, concisely and with confidence

OShare how they will be involvedOTalk about the ‘challenge’ of the

taskOProvide plenty of autonomyOStick with established timelinesOGive positive public recognition

HOW TO WORK WITH AN EAST

OShow interest and enthusiasm for ideas

OListen and be patient during idea generation

OAvoid critical judgment of ideasOAllow and support divergent thinkingOProvide variety of tasksOProvide support and supervision,

check-ins on details, and project follow through

HOW TO WORK WITH A WEST

OAllow time for decision makingOProvide all significant dataODon’t be put off by critical

statementsOUse logic-based argumentsOAppeal to tradition and procedure

HOW TO WORK WITH A SOUTH

OPay attention to relationship issuesO Justify decisions around values and

ethicsOAllow expression of feeling/intuition

in logical argumentOBe aware that he/she may have

trouble saying ‘no’ OProvide positive reassurancesOLet him/her know that you like

him/her

Great teams don’t just happen!

Understand, notice, and then EMBRACE

the process!

Expect stress

FORMING

OConflict avoidanceOFocus on similaritiesO Ignore or gloss over

differences/disagreements to ‘play nice’

OCan lead to polarization and fragmentation

OClarity issues ariseO Roles are changingO People are in the learning phase

TEAM’S TASK

OEstablish rules

OUse agendas

OClarify expectations

STORMING

OFrustration/disagreementOSignificant conflicts may arise

(leadership, power, control, influence, feeling stuck)

OCan lead to polarization and fragmentation

OCommon to retreat to the safety of forming

OSome members may retreat into isolation

OCAUTION: Politeness substitutes for reality

TEAM’S TASK

OWork at understanding one another

OAddress issues

OClarify expectations

NORMINGOTeam starts resolving conflicts,

negotiating disagreements, establishing norms of beavior

O Individuals begin to remove their own barriers to communication – let go of defensive stance

OTeam members begin to look at what’s best for the system as a whole – work toward consensus

TEAM’S TASK

OMembers openly identify and address their individual issues

OPersonal agendas are replaced by the team’s agenda (put it on the table)

PERFORMING OTeam members has realistic

expectationsOMajor conflicts resolved and norms

are continually clarified, as neededOCompetitiveness gives way to

cooperation – close and supportiveODiversity of opinion is respected

and honored as valuableOLeadership is spontaneous and

comes from anyone on the team

TEAM’S TASK

OCelebrate!ONote if you find yourselves taking a step back, acknowledge the process and address