Characteristics Of Effective Team Members

Commitment - The individual must believe in the project and be willing to do “whatever it takes” to make it successful. 

Bias for Action - The team member must have a sense of urgency and feel compelled to finish the project successfully.

Flexibility - Since the team’s charter is to recommend change, each team member must not only be able to adapt to change but must also embrace it.

Innovation - Successful team members are able not only to embrace change but also to initiate it by finding new ways to accomplish the goal.

Personal Influence - Since the team will become agents of change, it is highly desirable for all members to be well respected within their own communities. This is similar to the “personal clout” requirement for project champions and leaders.

Available Time - Individuals who are close to burnout because of a too-heavy workload should not be chosen for the team. Not only will they not be effective, but they may also create dissension within the team by missing meetings or failing to deliver on commitments.

Teamwork - No matter how creative and committed individuals may be, unless they can work successfully as part of a team, they should not be part of the core team. Key “individual contributors” who lack cooperative and collaborative skills may be called on to provide expertise at various stages of the project.