Thursday, October 15, 2026

The Three Traits of a Great Teammate

With practice, we can develop the skills we need to be a great team player

The late Steve Jobs was undeniably brilliant but also famously difficult to work with. In his early days, the Apple founder was known for yelling, taking credit for others’ work, and alienating colleagues. His perfectionism made him a highly effective visionary but a poor team player.

Being smart at your job doesn’t always make you a great teammate. So what does?

That’s the question social psychologist Ron Friedman explores in his upcoming book, Superteams: The Science and Secrets of High-Performing Teams.

Drawing on surveys of more than 6,000 workers across fields ranging from the NFL to tech and television, Friedman analyzed over 100,000 data points to uncover what people value most in their best-ever colleagues.

The results may surprise you. Traits we often praise—like being caring, funny, or a good listener—ranked low on the list. They can make work more enjoyable, Friedman writes, but they don’t necessarily help teams perform better.

Instead, three qualities stood out:

1. Knowledgeable − Strong teammates do more than pull their weight. They spot problems early, share useful shortcuts, and often help others succeed. It’s not about credentials. It’s about showing real competence through your work.

2. Dependable − Reliability builds momentum. When people follow through, keep commitments, and step in when needed, teams can move faster and with more confidence.

3. Strong communicator − Good communication goes beyond listening. It means guiding conversations, clarifying decisions, and helping the team stay aligned with each other and with their goals.

The bigger message: great teams aren’t built on charisma. They’re built on practical habits and skills anyone can develop. While some of these strengths may come more naturally to some people, they aren’t fixed.

With practice and intention, anyone can become more reliable, communicate more clearly, and contribute more effectively to their team.

Source: The Globe and Mail

The Three Traits of a Great Teammate

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