4 Ways to be a Better Teammate

Everyone surely fantasizes about being the team hero. Rarely, if ever, is a great event because of just one person. Little do most people realize that success, more often than not, is because of the actions of a great team, working together. Sport Psychology consultants suggest four ways to be a better team player.

Camarillo, CA (PRWEB) May 5, 2005 -- Everyone surely fantasizes about being the team hero. Saving the company by making the big sale. Shooting the winning basket at the sound of the buzzer. Or catching the final Hail-Mary pass.

Little do most people realize that success, more often than not, is because of the actions of a great team, working together. Rarely, if ever, is a great event because of just one person. Just ask Bill Belichik, Head coach of the New England Patriots, or ask Donald Trump, the mind behind the Apprentice TV success, or, ask Samuel Hirschberg, CEO of the Mental Strength Training Center, whose organization has helped nearly 10,000 athletes and coaches create better working teams.

"Once everyone on the team realizes they are equally as important to the quarterback or the ball carrier, and that they have an important role to play, communication gets better and team synergy increases as well," reports Samuel Hirschberg, CEO of the Mental Strength Training Center, a Southern California-based organization that specializes in working with athletes and coaches in search of better performance.

The Mental Strength Training Center recently featured Karlene Sugarman in a Teleseminar course on effective team building. Ms Sugarman is a Mental Strength and Sport Psychology Consultant to some of the highest performing athletes, coaches and business executives in the world.

"These principles are not just for coaches and athletes to benefit from, but for anyone who is daily working as part of a team," reported Mr. Hirschberg.

Below are four strategies to be a better teammate which were extracted from Ms. Sugarman's lecture:

1. Have a mission for everyone on the team -- It is important to note that just having a mission statement, and having a mission statement that everyone is daily acting upon, are two different things. When you write a mission statement for the team, include the reason why the organization exists and make it clear to everyone how they play an important role in making the mission part of the overall success plan.

2. Everyone is a member of the team -- And everyone has an important role to play. Be sure to not only clarify your role, but be sure to clarify the role of every member of the team. This will not only help to avoid communication problems, but will provide every member a sense of importance in the daily operations.

3. Create an open communication line -- Nothing can create problems faster than a lack of communication. Communication goes on between the coach and the athlete, amongst all athletes, and even between the coaches. By letting others know that frequent communication is the key to an effective organization and when dealt with properly, potential problems can be worked with, while minimizing possible negative outcomes.

4. Minimize setbacks -- First, don't focus on the small stuff. Make it a habit to let the little things go. Create an atmosphere of learning from mistakes (as they invariably will happen), and moving past them. And remember to avoid dwelling on mistakes, teaching your coaches and teammates to quickly get over mistakes and move on.

For more information about effective teamwork see the Teleseminar; "How To Create A Team Of Cooperative Athletes In Any Sport", published by the Mental Strength Training Center at www.MentalStrength.com

About the Mental Strength Training Center
Since 1998 the Mental Strength Training Center has helped nearly 10,000 athletes, coaches and parents of competitive athletes, worldwide. Becoming more mentally tough and a better competitor through mastery of basic strategies including nutrition, mental training and fitness. The Mental Strength Training Center offers libraries of resources containing tools and techniques through a subscription website to help athletes and coaches become stronger both mentally and physically. More information can be found at www.MentalStrength.com.

About Karlene Sugarman
Karlene Sugarman, M.A., received her B.A. from St. Mary's College in and her M.A. in Sport Psychology from John F. Kennedy University. She is a member of the Association for the Advancement of Applied Sport Psychology (AAASP). Karlene is the author of the book "Winning the Mental Way." She is the Sport Psychology Consultant for the University of San Diego baseball team, as well as many other teams and athletes around the country. She has written articles for magazines such as Collegiate Baseball, New Living, U.S. Handball, FastPitch World, and U.S. Roller Skating.

###