Every individual is capable of performing extraordinary tasks alone. But those are rare cases when that happens and therefore people tend to ask are you a team player before hiring an employee. In general, there is a limitation to what a single person can do and cannot be compared to the cumulative efforts of a group of people. When different people working together they bring different qualities to the table. The effectiveness of a team is the need of the hour. The higher the compatibility in a team, the higher will be productivity. So, it has become quite important for people to know and understand team building and how to be a team player. Below are some great team player qualities or skills that make a team player-

Self-Aware

It is essential for team players to have an unbiased understanding of what you are good at and what are your weaknesses. Only when you are brutally honest with your weaknesses, you can accept and overcome them. When you are aware of your strengths and weaknesses you take on roles that are most suited to your skill sets that would eventually benefit the productivity of the team.

Reliable

Reliability is one of the most basic great team player qualities and a critical requirements to be a great team player. A great team player has to be consistently reliable day in and day out. People count on them to get the job done, meet deadlines, be consistent with the quality of their work. Through this i.e people working together, they develop a positive work relationship with other team members. 

Flexible

Teams often cope with changing circumstances and often make adjustments on their own. So, team members have to adapt to ever-changing circumstances. They don't complain or get stressed out because they're trying something fresh or setting some fresh path. Rather than sitting on the bench watching the rest of the crew work, an excellent team player always needs to see the magic happening with their efforts. 

Honesty

A member of a team should be honest about both their accomplishments and their weaknesses. Everyone makes errors from time to time, but disasters can happen when individuals attempt to transfer their blame and weave false stories. Everything has a solution once you choose to confront it. By being honest to your shortcomings you get an opportunity to improve and evolve by overcoming your shortcomings with consistent efforts.

Positive Attitude

Having a positive mindset is the great team player qualities as it motivates the other team members to stay positive incase of any failure. You will see failure as feedback rather than a cataclysmic catastrophe if you stay positive. Positivity means finding a solution to a problem rather than passing the blame on things you can't control and dwelling on. Rather than losing hope over shortcomings, one has to keep a positive attitude towards the problem and find ways to overcome them.

Empathetic Nature- 

While people working together the team players treat fellow members of the team with courtesy and consideration, not just for a while but constantly. When they do not put conditions on when will they assist when they will choose to listen, and when they will share information. They respect people's boundaries and embrace them individually. 

Adaptable

Adaptability in this day and age is a prerequisite for employees or people working together in teams. It results in a willingness to learn new information and to acquire new skills. Adaptability also means adaptation to your colleague's working styles and personalities. When you apply for jobs, the interviewer usually asks about your adaptability. If you work with teammates who prefer to work remotely, you may need to learn how to use video conferencing tools. If you're outgoing and engaging, you might need to adapt to your introverted colleagues who need quiet spaces for productivity to work. If you are naturally introverted, ask a few friendly questions here and help you build relationships with your outgoing colleagues.

Active Listener

Someone once said you have one mouth and two ears so listen more and speak less. A lot of teams have the potential to be very effective, and everything depends on active listening. It's harder to listen actively than you think. When you hear someone say something you do not agree with initially, do not interrupt and do not allow your mind to prepare any counter remarks. First, try to understand the other perspective wholeheartedly before sharing your own.

Communication

Teams need individuals to speak up and express their thoughts and ideas effectively, directly, honestly, and concerning others and the team's work. Such a team member does not shy away from making a point but does it in the best possible way— positively, confidently, and respectfully.