A few months ago, I started sharing short videos on social media featuring unique insights about the art of being a good teammate. The videos, aptly named “Good Teammate Insights,” have been steadily gaining attention.
I was trying to record an after dark version of one of those videos the other night when I ran into a problem with crickets along the path where I was filming. The crickets were chirping so loudly that they drowned out my words, which ultimately rendered my message unrecordable.
Crickets can be annoying creatures. They make a lot of noise yet are hard to spot because they hide and go silent whenever you get near. As soon as you move back away, their incessant chirping returns.
Underperforming teams can be plagued by members who display similar behaviors. In fact, the behaviors are so similar that I refer to these team members as cricket teammates.
Cricket teammates make a lot of loud, annoying noise complaining, criticizing, and whining. Their complaints are vague and ambiguously phrased. Whenever someone of authority comes within earshot, they too hide and go silent.
And like the insect, as soon as the person of authority leaves, cricket teammates go back to “chirping.”
Cricket teammates lack the courage to hold others accountable. They’re willing to identify problems but unwilling to take the necessary action to remedy problems.
They can be heard shouting nondescript complaints like: “Oh come on! This is ridiculous! Give me a break! We got to do better!”
Sadly, nondescript shouting is typically the extent of their contribution. They never engage in more than this cowardly approach. They never take action nor suggest any solutions.
When good teammates identify problems, they take a much more direct approach. They don’t blame, shame, complain, or use vague, ambiguous language. They either directly confront the offending party or voice their concerns to someone who has the authority to do so.
Their willingness to engage in this type of direct approach is what keeps their teams from being distracted by meaningless, annoying noise.
In some cultures, crickets are a traditional symbol of good luck. Their presence is believed to be a sign of impending good fortune.
Don’t fool yourself into thinking that this belief applies to cricket teammates. No good fortune will ever come to a team’s culture from their presence. It’s best to put an end to their chirping before the team’s success is rendered unrecordable.
As always…Good teammates care. Good teammates share. Good teammates listen. Go be a good teammate!
