How old were you when you learned how to be a team player?

Think back to your childhood. What grade were you in (K – 12 or perhaps college) when you were first placed on a team of at least four people and the grade you earned was a result of the entire team’s efforts?

If you are like most people I have surveyed in my workshops, the answer is about grades 8 through 10. Of course, there are some who did not experience a task like this until they were in their Master’s programs and others who worked in a team-based environment in elementary school. The challenge is that we have been raised in a very individualistic society. None of us were really taught to be a team player unless it was in sports. If we did not choose to play team-based sports, we were rarely exposed to teamwork.

Friends often describe me to others as a guy who is an only child and works by himself yet teaches teamwork. That usually gets a little chuckle and, in my keynote speeches, that is part of my introduction. Now, if you are like most people, right now you are probably thinking, “What can a guy who is an only child, working by himself, possibly teach me about teamwork?” After all, I grew up in a family with brothers and sisters – we had to work together all of the time. While that is true, the only child had to learn how to go out and develop a team, make decisions as to who they wanted on their team, and determine what teams he wanted to be a part of. Don’t get me wrong, there are strong points to be made both ways – the key point is that many of us have never been “taught” how to be a team player.

What was the first team (outside of your family) that you were on? Perhaps you were one of the fortunate ones who got to practice teamwork early in your life. Or perhaps you only practiced teamwork on a sports team.

I am curious to learn your responses to my initial question; What grade were you in when you were first placed on a team of at least four people and the grade you earned was a result of the entire team’s efforts?

We invite you to take part in our one question survey by clicking here to let us know when your first team experience took place. The results will be shared in a future G-Force. If you want to share this poll with your colleagues and friends please do so.