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25 CHARACTERISTICS OF BEING A GOOD TEAMMATE

Mar 24, 2022

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A SERVANT LEADER?

Below are the 25 characteristics of what is means to be a good teammate. Intertwined with being a good teammate or a good neighbor or a good leader is the concept of SERVING OTHERS.

Now a days, especially in athletics, it’s common to hear coaches or administrators and even athletes refer to themselves as being a SERVANT LEADER. We should all strive to be servant leaders. The term is a beautiful, descriptive way to portray yourself as a someone who truly cares about PUTTING OTHERS FIRST. But it’s even more than that; being a servant leader is tough and requires more. You must be willing to PUT YOUR OWN SELF-INTEREST LAST, and always forsake the trappings of power and praise. The prototype of a servant leader is Mother Teresa.

If you are a SERVANT LEADER then you will do anything to help others out. You will never be dismissive of the “lowly”. You never go to the front of the line nor the head of the table. You do not dress impeccably – you dress to get messy and to get your hands dirty. To be a servant leader, you do not have to be great at your manner of delivery but instead full of SUBSTANCE; SINCERITY; possess GRIT; be COMPETENT; show HUMILITY & EMPATHY.

Too often these days leaders who enter PUBLIC SERVICE are just another person pursuing power, looking for a title and a big paycheck, and have a “slick” tongue. It happens all the time across all different sectors. New leadership comes in with all this lip service of SERVANT LEADERSHIP & TRUST yet in reality, it’s business as usual. The new leadership is not interested in much feedback except from their friends and cronies; there is total disregard for the truth, facts, and any intellectually integrity; despite using terms like “servant”, “trust”, “family”, “fairness”, “communication”, etc. – only months into their new terms “serving others” quickly morphs into “what’s in it for ME and my buddies” or “do as I say not as I do” or “don’t bother me, I’m busy right now”.

A CIRCLE OF SAFETY IS LOOKING OUT FOR & CARING FOR OTHERS



I thought out loud —What does it mean to be a SERVANT LEADER? WHO IS THE GREATEST SERVANT LEADER OF MY LIFETIME? Hands down, MOTHER TERESA.

  • A servant leader is CARING. He or she provides those under his/her care with the promise of safety a.k.a. CIRCLE OF SAFETY, which means all feel protected like a family member, who look after each other and strive and thrive together regardless of the what’s going on outside of that circle. The servant leader makes sure that circle is not broken and keeps the family unified. The CIRCLE OF SAFETY comes from a group of oxen who when approached by a predator, all form a circle with their “butts” touching in the center of the circle (see photo below) – it reminds me of the phrase: “I GOT YOUR BACK”.
  • Servant leaders have the best interest of OTHERS IN THEIR HEART. They display kindness and concern for others in every decision they make or action they take.
  • Servant leaders always look out for those to the left of them and those to the right of them. The servant leader is the one who is willing to give up something of their own for the betterment of “US”. Servant leaders give more than just their time; they willingly give their own money or treasures to help out others. And with Mother Teresa, she gave up the food off of her plate so others could eat.
  • Servant leaders are there to SERVE not to be served. They are givers not takers. They are HUMBLE not arrogant.
  • Servant leaders do everything they can to help those they serve. They see suffering and try to heal it and bring joy.
  • A servant leader focuses primarily on the growth and well-being of those on their team or part of their department or organization.
  • Servant leaders put the needs of others FIRST. They focus on helping others ACHIEVE. They help others GROW & DEVELOP. They are SOLUTION MINDED. They seek peace not confrontation. They FIX PROBLEMS instead of being the cause of more problems.
  • Servant leaders forsake personal advancement and rewards. They never seek the spotlight or take credit for successes; instead they “praise” the efforts of those on their team. They have grateful hearts and value the contributions of those around them. When Mother Teresa won the Nobel Peace Prize, she refused the banquet and the prize money and instead had it donated to the poor in India.
  • A servant leader shares power and gives voice to the “minority out of power” to challenge the inequities of the status quo. They try to make a real difference to provide fair opportunities especially for any who feel locked out. They see a wrong and try to right it.
  • Traditional leadership is NOT SERVANT LEADERSHIP. More times than not instead of serving others their only concern is about helping the organization thrive or focusing on the bottom line numbers and looking for personal advancement and taking all the credit for any success while attributing blame to others for any failure (that’s where the slick tongue comes in by always spinning the truth and coming up with marketing strategies and cute slogans/phrases that mislead).


Next time, you are inclined to describe yourself or somebody else as a SERVANT LEADER – let Mother Teresa be the example and template. She is a “SAINT” because of her lifetime of real SERVICE TO OTHERS;

  • for making a difference in the lives of the suffering;
  • by devoting her time to go into the slums and LISTEN or to just hold someone’s hand who is alone;
  • for bringing joy, hope, optimism and a smile to places of doom and misery;
  • for showing empathy to the less fortunate;
  • for always having TIME for those in need or who were struggling or facing hard times;
  • for speaking truth to power;
  • for giving VOICE to the forgotten; and
  • for giving comfort and a circle of safety to all she ever encountered.

I think she would be the PERFECT TEAMMATE – such a great perspective; a giver not a taker; selfless; trying to always bring joy and optimism; never took a single day off to worry about herself; commitment to her journey; not afraid to compete and speak truth to power nor challenge the status quo; never threw anybody away; in fact, the total opposite, took everybody into her arms.

Let’s take a look at the 25 or so characteristics of what it means to be a GOOD TEAMMATE.


25 CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD TEAMMATES



Here are my top 25 or so characteristics that make somebody valuable as a teammate:

  • A great teammate develops true relationships with the other team members, coaching staff, support staff. Brings people TOGETHER. Respects the game and everyone involved, especially the umpires, administrators and opponents.
  • Great teammates are about COLLABORATION; synergy. Much more can be achieved when groups connect and contribute to each others strengths and success. They contribute their talents and experiences to the TEAM EFFORT.
  • A great teammate truly CARES about their teammates. There is a genuine concern and love for their well being. They nurture each others growth and development. Always check in with each other as friends to see who they can help each other out. A good teammate can be counted on to be a good listener, to always share a kind word or thought and to give the biggest smile or reassurance especially in tough times.
  • A great teammate forms the CIRCLE OF SAFETY when anything from the outside threatens the harmony of the team and sends the message: I got your back; I’m here to support US when any one on the team is being attacked.
  • Looks to make those around them BETTER. Is a giver not a taker. Appreciates and is grateful for the wonderful opportunity and all of their blessings, so is eager TO HELP OTHERS. A leader who focuses on SERVING OTHERS. The goals of the TEAM come first.
  • PURSUES EXCELLENCE. They set high expectations and standards. Constantly getting better. Eternal learners. Insatiably curious. Tireless work ethic.
  • Seekers of SOLUTION; figuring out how to FIX “stuff”.
  • RISK TAKERS. Try new ideas. Accept challenges. Innovative. Take chances. Looking for big breakthroughs.
  • Understands the importance of the “JOURNEY” and building life-long friendships and experiencing magical moments and lasting memories together.
  • Blue collar WORK ETHIC. Grinder. Consistent day after day. They show up EVERY DAY, rain or sunshine, and they invest their time and talent to getting stuff done and making things better.
  • OPTIMIST. They see opportunity and get others to rally around their vision. Any challenge they see as an opportunity to succeed. Being the underdog inspires them. They are never deterred by roadblocks nor failures of setbacks.
  • Is open minded to learning, growing and developing. Has a GROWTH MINDSET.
  • Is consistently POSITIVE with high levels of energy and enthusiasm. Loves to COMPETE with infectious intensity.
  • Willing to play ANY ROLE necessary. Selfless. Not self-absorbed. Understands their value and understands the importance of being a great teammate.
  • Undeterred by setbacks, struggles and failures.
  • Works hard with passion, purpose, perseverance & persistence.
  • Shows devotion and discipline to the team’s goals, vision and objectives.
  • Leads by example and through their actions.
  • Is always prepared before every practice and engages in the moment.
  • Understands their own strengths and weaknesses.
  • HUMBLE. They don’t talk about how smart or how great they are. They always shine the SPOTLIGHT ON OTHERS. They forsake false praise and attention and instead choose to talk about the team and the value of others contributions.
  • Truly VALUE THE CONTRIBUTIONS of others.
  • BE READY ALWAYS. Have a positive, energetic attitude. Displays positive body language and non-verbals especially when they are not in the starting line-up. Sitting back and complaining and looking disinterested and hoping for bad results just because you think you deserve to be playing instead of the starter and showing your frustrations by disengaging in the game is immature. Stay engaged in the game; chart pitches; mentally role play so when your chance comes you are ready and your teammates will support you the same way you did for them.
  • Be ACCOUNTABLE. Holds themselves accountable to the standard of excellence and takes responsibility and owns their performance, decisions and choices and accepts the consequences. Understands that accessing blame or pointing the finger at others is NOT IN THEIR AREA OF COMPETENCE. The game of baseball/softball is full of plenty of failures and WHAT IFS.
  • Always gives their VERY BEST EFFORT. 100% effort, 100% of the time. Maximum effort. Empty the tank physically, mentally and emotionally.
  • Accepts feedback and constructive criticism without getting defensive or taking it in a negative light. Assume the positive. Assume everybody’s motives are PURE and that everything in the team environment is set up for learning, growth and development. Even if you disagree with the feedback, do not act negatively towards someone who took interest in trying to help you.
  • Always trusts the process especially during difficulties and adversity.
  • No blaming, no whining, no excuses, no pity parties.
  • Is reliable, trustworthy and honest. Pure motives. Honors their commitment. Shows up on time. Sincere. Good-hearted people. Not FAKE. Does what they say they are going to do to help the team. 100% committed to the team and bought into the protocols. Will feed the pitching machine, catch in the bull pen, do front toss, set up and pick up equipment and volunteer when the teams needs their help.
  • A great teammates DOES WHATEVER IT TAKES.
  • Great teammates bring JOY. They love what they do and it shows.

We all have fond memories and treasure the great teammates we have had in our lives and on our teams. Thanks for sharing your very best version of you with us. We keep in our hearts your joy and optimism. Your contributions made us all better and challenged us to be more thoughtful in service of others.


SMILE AT YOUR TEAMMATE. GIVE THE GIFT OF LOVE TO OTHERS!

PURSUE EXCELLENCE & WIN THIS PITCH!


About the Author

Mike Lotief coached 17 successful years as either the head softball coach or co-head softball coach with his wife Stefni Whitton Lotief at the University of Louisiana from 2002-2017 with an overall coaching record of 731-176 (80.6 winning percentage). Every season, the Ragin Cajuns softball team advanced to the NCAA tournament and also advanced to three (3) Women’s College World Series (2003, 2008, 2014) and from 2012-2016 advanced to five (5) straight NCAA Super Regionals. Coach Lotief produced over 40 All American selections and his 2017 team lead the nation in scoring and was ranked in the Top 10 in home runs, slugging percentage, on base percentage.

The coach is a cancer survivor (twice) and was the first person in the U.S. to receive the Pro Trach device. Mike and Stefni spearheaded and raised the funding to build the new softball stadium in 2009 and the new softball indoor hitting facility in 2015. They are proud parents to Chelsea, who played softball and graduated from the Univ. of Louisiana in 2018, and Andrew, who is a junior at Louisiana studying Mechanical Engineering.

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