Are you a team player????????????

There are four types of team player:

....Contributor

....Catalyst

....Spoiler

....Blocker


Contributors make up the core of most teams. They are people who get a lot done. They not only pull their weight but their work makes a positive contribution to the team’s goals. In the ideas scenario, full- time team members will all be contributors.


Catalysts are usually people the team but associated with it. They don’t necessarily do a lot of work for the team. But when they intervene, what they do is helpful to the team. Example of catalyst can include team coaches, consultants or senior.

Spoilers can often be found inside the team, though not always. They are people who do a lot of work , but that work doesn’t actually help the team. The team may have to spend fruitless time undoing the works spoiler or dealing with unwanted consequences.

Blockers are usually people outside the team. They don’t have much involvement in the team, but what they do stops the team from processing. A simple example might be that of a budget – holder refusing to release funds that are essential to the team’s work.

Which type are you?

To work out type contribution you make to the team is simple; you can ask these two question.

Do I spend a lot of time working for the team?

Do I have a positive or negative impact on team performance ?

Then lookup the answers in this table:

Little time lots of time

Positive catalyst contributor
Negative Blocker spoiler

However, it may not be that simple. Although you can easily asses how much time you spend working for the team, most people think they are catalyst or contributors. Spoilers and blocker don’t regard their actions as negative; they usually believe they are making a positive contribution.

Whether a contribution is positive or negative is a subjective judgment. Having a heated argument might be seen by one team member as disruptive, but by another as clearing the air and resolving an issue that would otherwise have festered.

The benefit of the above model is not to categorize team members and label them as spoilers or contributors. Rather, it is to raise awareness and facilitate discussion about what types of behavior make a positive contribution to team performance.

Qualities of an effective Team Player

1. Reliability - Effective team player must demonstrate reliability and consistency.
2. Constructive communication.
3. Listen Actively.
4. Function as an active participant.
5. Prepared to share openly and willingly information, knowledge and experience.
6. Cooperate and pitch in to help.
7. Cooperate and get things done irrespective of personal difference.
8. Flexibility – Teams deals with any situation and initiate decisions.
9. Work as a problem solver: Team deals with problem.
10. Treat others in respectful and supportive manner. Treat others with courtesy and consideration.Show commitment to the team, care about their work, the teams work and the team.