The power of any team starts with exceptional leadership, but that’s only the beginning.
The true power of a team lies in its members working as a team.
If you’ve been in the corporate world for sometime, you know that teamwork is a foreign language that looks good on paper.
The reality is, everybody wants to be in the spotlight.
And if that means crushing others in they way, then so be it.
Sometimes this has to do with the culture in each company.
But most of the time it has to do with THE people.
If you act as a team member, you’ll have far more success than being the wolf eating all the sheep.
Why I am saying it’s about people, and less about culture?
I’ve seen this scenario over and over again: Those who decide they had enough of the corporate world focus their attention towards small businesses.
They launch their own business or find a small company to join.
So far, so good.
However, problems appear when the “corporate expert” starts bringing the same behavior in the small business.
Used to the spotlight and trashing everybody else in the way, he does not stop to observe and learn the culture, he does not have patience to know his colleagues.
He wrongly assumes he has to act just like he did in the corporate world to be successful.
The result can be disastrous for a small business.
It brings distrust among team members, it changes the energy in the room, and worst of all, it takes away the passion.
Most small businesses are started by passion: Passion to solve a problem, to help others, to make this world a better place.
When a disruptor comes into your team, he brings in frustration.
He takes the focus from the business and places it on himself.
That said, I want to make the case why it’s better for you and for the company to be a team player.
How Teamwork Can Boost Your Career
Whether you’re in the corporate world, launched your own business, or are working for a small business, teamwork is your best bet to achieve your personal goals.
There is no secret I love teamwork. You can ask any of my colleagues how annoying I am about it.
What I learned during my journey in both corporate and small business world is teamwork can move mountains and can solve what seems unsolvable.
Another valuable lesson was how teamwork can actually boost your career.
Seems counterintuitive, right?
It actually makes a lot of sense if you think about it.
Let’s look at how teamwork can help your career in PR or any other industry.
Three Ways Teamwork Can Help Your Career
Become a Better Professional
Working in a team and as a team helps you become better at your craft.
Sharing your thoughts on a certain project with your colleagues opens you for constructive feedback and fresh new perspectives.
Sometimes, OK most of the times, we are so focused on our day-to-day tasks that we forget to take a step back and look at things from the outside.
This is where your colleagues can step in and offer new ideas.
What that does to you?
It helps you improve and grow both as a professional and a human being.
You Get Noticed
When you act as a team member, helping your colleagues when they need it, jumping in when more brains and hands are needed, you actually grow your personal brand.
People start to trust you. They start talking about you. Your superior hears about your actions.
New Career Opportunities Arise
Even though it may seem like nothing is happening, other than you doing your best work, being the best colleague, and team member you can be, things do happen.
New career opportunities arise out of nowhere in your company and not only.
It may seem too easy, too simplistic, but it’s also very true.
Being a team player opens many doors and brings many opportunities for you.
What you make of them it’s up to you.
How has being a team player helped you throughout your career?