Technical professionals

Technical professionals put heads down and focus on our work to the exclusion of all other things, select a team, contribute to it, and expand influence into organization beyond your immediate reach. Have fun and be useful, all at the same time.
regards,
Dwika-ExecuTrain


Tip #5: "Teamwork: Select and Be On a Team"
by: Steven Cerri

With this newsletter I'll be writing about the fifth trait of an exceptional technical professional. It's the second of the "Group Traits" that lead to Exceptional Individual Performance. This second group trait is titled, "Teamwork: Selecting and Being on a Team."

Teamwork is a term that is often thrown around as if we all know what it means. For some being on a team is equivalent to "just showing up". You've heard the old phrase that 90% of success is just showing up. Well not anymore.

The work world no long supports those who "just show up." It's important to "contribute." And so whatever team you decide to be on it's important to contribute to it.

That leads us then to two specific steps, "picking" a team and "being" on a team. Lets take "picking" a team first.

You may be on several teams at any given time in your career. Most of those teams will "require" your participation. Your participation will be required because you are on a project, a task, or are part of the department.

What I'm talking about here when I refer to exceptional technical professionals is the team participation that is not required. Find something in your company or organization that you don't have to be part of. But if it interests you and you can make a contribution, join. Pick those voluntary groups in your company where you can shine, where you can contribute something unique and that furthers the goals of the company or organization.

Once you select the team to be on, give to it. Make this an example of what it is to give just because you can, just because you are a human being helping others in your organization. You will get noticed and it will feel good as well.

It's easy for us as technical professionals to put our heads down and focus on our work to the exclusion of all other things. This is an opportunity to select a team, contribute to it, and expand your influence into your organization beyond your immediate reach. Have fun and be useful, all at the same time.