Groups exist in any kind of organization. However, groups may not necessarily work as teams. Members of a team depend on each other when it comes to overall performance. The only time that a group becomes a team is when its members start to agree on helping one another to achieve organizational objectives. In these fast-paced times, teamwork has become a requirement in accomplishing organizational success.

It is often said that teamwork makes teams work. Its presence is also one of the factors that distinguish teams from mere groups. But what does teamwork exactly mean? Teamwork is a cooperative action by two or more people (or by a group) in which individuals contribute different skills and abilities, express their interests and opinions, and give their commitment to the achievement of common goals.

Teamwork does not disregard the individual. Instead, it goes beyond individual accomplishments for the team to become effective and efficient. It is said that the most effective teamwork arises when all the individuals in the group harmonize their contributions and start to work towards collective objectives.

Teamwork can only be successful when all the members of the team are team players. Generally, a team player is an individual who places coordinated effort with other members of the team before his or her own personal goals. There are several qualities that define a team player. First is that team players are adaptable. They are highly teachable, emotionally secure, creative, and service minded. Team players are also collaborative. They think win-win, complement others and their distinctive gifts, and take themselves out of the picture.

Team players are also committed. They are communicative as well. They do not isolate themselves from others. They make it easy for teammates to communicate with them. They also do not allow a conflict to go unresolved for 24 hours. They give attention to potentially difficult relationships.

Competency, dependability, and discipline also define a team player. Team players are committed to excellence and they never settle for mediocre. They pay attention to detail and they perform with consistency.

Team players are also enlarging and enthusiastic. They are intentional – they make every action count. They are mission conscious – they know where the team is going and at the same time, they let the leader of the team lead. Team players are prepared, relational and self improving. They are also selfless – there is no “I” in the team. They are solutions-oriented and tenacious. They work with determination and quit only when the job is done, not when they are tired.

Teams must give value to the correlation between teamwork and team players, as one cannot exist without the other.