550 Billion Reasons You Need Better Teammates

If you want a better and more engaged team, you need to set the example and be a better teammate yourself. Your behaviors will be contagious if you put the team first.

Today’s post is by Sean Glaze, author of The 10 Commandments of Winning Teammates (CLICK HERE to get your copy).

Unhappy workers cost the U.S. between $450 and $550 billion in lost productivity each year, according to a 2013 report on the state of the U.S. workplace conducted by research and polling company Gallup.

That isn’t a drip.

It is a fire-hydrant sized leak of money lost each year by businesses – and that includes yours.

In an earlier study, the Corporate Leadership Council studied the engagement level of 50,000 employees around the world to determine the direct impact on both employee performance and retention.

They found that:

– Engaged companies grow profits as much as 3X faster than their competitors.

– Highly engaged employees are 87 percent less likely to leave the organization

And in a third study, McLean & Company found that a disengaged employee will cost an organization approximately $3,400 for every $10,000 in annual salary.

The reality is that people often make mistakes and disappoint their clients and coworkers because they continue to indulge in excuses and complaints. Too many employees are uncoachable, show a lack of enthusiasm, or neglect to acknowledge and appreciate the efforts of the people around them.

But winning organizations are different. They embrace the value of extra effort, concern for others, and claiming personal responsibility.

The goal of effective leaders has always been to help people achieve better results, better relationships, and better experiences. They want to build a winning team.

Unfortunately, disengaged and unhappy employees do not make a winning team.

Winning teams require winning teammates.

And you don’t become a winning teammate by wearing the same uniform or working in the same office…

Winning teammates do things differently.

They care about and encourage others.

They claim personal responsibility for results.

And they know their role is part of a bigger picture. Interestingly, according to that same 2013 Gallup poll, it was reported that when employees understand their overall role in the business 91 percent would work toward that goal.

So how do you transform disengaged employees into winning teammates?

How can you begin to shut off the hydrant of losses caused by your disengaged employees and coworkers?

Well, you must first understand that people only do what they know.

For years, colleges have educated students and taught specific knowledge and skills in hopes that those technical skills will make them successful…

But while they are hired for their technical skills, most workers end up struggling or being fired for their interpersonal skills.

They don’t know HOW to be a winning teammate.

Having worked over the last ten years with many managers, coaches, and organizational leaders as a teamwork keynote speaker and team building facilitator, I have heard about this issue as it relates to virtually every industry.

That is why I wrote my most recent book, The 10 Commandments of Winning Teammates. It is a parable that tells the story of Nick Turner, who is moving to another city and changing jobs again.

While packing to move, he finds an old piece of paper tucked away in a shoe box… a forgotten gift from his high school coach with a list of ways to be a winning teammate.

Looking back on his athletic career, Nick realizes it was very similar to what he is experiencing in his professional career. He had worked hard to become a great player – but he could have had more success if he had focused on the list… he could have been a better teammate.

If you want to influence the people on your team to be winning teammates, this book shares ten memorable lessons that will engage and inspire you to be the example they want to emulate.

Every organization needs winning teammates.

The way to get better teammates is to BE a better teammate.

If you want to improve engagement on your team, help them to see – and then understand – what it means to be winning teammate.

The best way to inspire people is with your own personal example.

– Sean Glaze has enjoyed motivating athletes and inspiring teams for nearly 20 years, and has consistently turned under-achievers into winners – both on and off the court – with his practical tools and focus on great relationships and team-building.  He’s the author of The 10 Commandments of Winning Teammates. As an experienced author, speaker, and team-building coach, Sean entertains and influences audiences with a unique blend of dynamic content, interactive activities, and practical action steps. Learn more about him here: www.GreatResultsTeambuilding.net.

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Photo: Teammates 4 by sagriffin305