5 Principles for Working as a Successful Team

Working in teams is a normal part of life, and I believe that all work can be accomplished in positive, fulfilling ways. However, sometimes we work with people who do not work in positive ways, and it can truly destroy the effectiveness of the team. Based on my own experience, the following principles should guide all work interactions within a team. Using these principles will yield a greater likelihood of success.  

• Purposeful – we must focus on our goals. We cannot be distracted by the ancillary. If there is no focused purpose, there is no success.
• Respectful – we must be respectful of one another. We avoid useless gossip and focus on success.
• Open – we must have no secrets. We must share knowledge openly and work together in an open, positive manner to achieve our goals. 
• Collaborative – we must build off our teammates strengths and successes. We work to support one another in our work in the program. 
• Constructive – we are proactive and focus on solutions. We focus on reaching goals and fixing problems. 

To use these principles effectively, each team member must work to build a level of self-confidence and inner assurance, which will act as a foundation for these principles. If you have found yourself struggling within your team, I recommend that you take a close look at yourself and make sure that you are using these principles effectively to achieve success in your work.