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In part two of “Working Well with Others”, I covered the main reason why teams do not function well—and that is the lack of clarity. If people are unclear of what they are supposed to accomplish, they can’t fully contribute to the team.

As a team player, you need to be absolutely clear about what is expected of you. If for any reason you are not sure, ask until you have no doubt. Then get busy, do exactly what is expected of you, and do it well.

Remember, in all your interactions with your team, your role is to be supportive and helpful. Your role is not to challenge, criticize, or argue, but to look for solutions and for opportunities to help other people make their maximum contribution as well. When you sit in on a team meeting, you are “onstage.” Everyone is watching you. The best team players offer suggestions on how things can be done better. The best team members are always offering to help other people after the meetings to get on top of some aspect of their work. This focus on collaboration and cooperation is seen by everybody and marks you as a person to be both liked and respected.

Many men and women have kicked their careers into the stratosphere by taking on a small responsibility and doing such a good job with it that they came to the attention of important people both inside and outside their organizations.

For example, some years ago, the chairman of a conglomerate for which I worked asked me if I would set up the importation and distribution of the Suzuki motor vehicles into Western Canada. Even though I knew nothing about automobile importation, I jumped at the opportunity. For the next three months, I threw my whole heart into learning everything I could about the importation and distribution of foreign automobiles. In the following two-and-a-half years, we imported and sold more than $25 million worth of vehicles, through 65 dealerships, all of which I had set up from scratch.

Then one day, I got a call from the president of another billion-dollar organization. He offered me three times my current salary if I would take charge of his $275 million development business. He told me later that he made this offer because of my proven ability with Suzuki to put together a team to achieve successful financial results. And it will be the same for you.

Continually look for opportunities to get onto teams and to make valuable contributions. Volunteer for additional assignments. Focus on high-priority tasks, and finish what you start on time. Do excellent work. And remember, as Confucius said, “He who would be master must be servant of all.”

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