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Make Sure You Make a Difference

March 8, 1999

"People who make the team are supposed to make a difference.

Just having your name on the roster doesn't mean you're earning your keep.  Making a difference takes more than just showing up, doing only enough to get by, or merely going through the motions.  Staying 'busy' is no big deal either.  You need to do what counts.

Even if someone is gifted, talent alone doesn't guarantee that the person will be a good individual contributor.  Often the top performer is not the most talented person on the team, but the person who puts out the most effort.  Others in the group may be blessed with more raw ability than you, but when it comes to the 'try' factor, everybody has equal opportunity.  Effort comes down to attitude, not talent.

If the team means anything to you - and if you're to mean anything much to the team - you need to try.  Invest yourself in the group.  Make a commitment, a personal effort that produces meaningful results.

Concentrate on giving the group what it needs at the moment.  Not just what you feel like giving...or what comes easy...or what you have been doing by habit.  Contribute in such a way that you clearly add value.  Make enough of a difference that the team would obviously miss you if you weren't there (Pritchett, 1992, pp. 45-46)."

Reference:  Pritchett, P. (1992).  The team member handbook for teamwork.  pps.45-46.  Dallas:  Pritchett & Associates.

Do you make enough of a difference that you would be missed?

* The Team Member Handbook for Teamwork is available on loan at the OSU Leadership Center.  A listing of all the Leadership Center's resources is available on our website www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~leaders

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Created: 2009-01-06, Updated: 2009-01-18