James Anthony Ellis
Editor, Legacy Magazine
The power of a team comes from the power of the individual to expand beyond a limited self to include others in the health and well-being of that team. Here is a fun, introspective and HIGHLY SCIENTIFIC measure to see where you stand as a team player living at the team level.
Give yourself a rating of 1 – 10 on each point below, wherein 1 is the lowest mark and 10 is the highest mark. At a 10, you would be in full agreement with the statement. There are no right or wrong answers. Only gut truth, and then of course a ratings guide at the end.
RATE YOURSELF BELOW
- I offer solutions to outstanding conflicts, issues and struggles facing the team, rather than complaining about them.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
- I bring 100 percent of myself to team meetings, giving all I can, not holding back, for the best of the circle.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
- I clear lists or grudges swiftly and directly so any conflicts don’t get in the way of the success of the team.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
- I step up and bring ideas for activities, exercises and rituals to the team leader rather than waiting for him to request something of me.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
- I make sure to attend a team meeting when I’m in town and when I don’t have a previous commitment, rather than looking for an excuse whenever I’m not in the mood to attend a meeting in person.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
- When not attending a team meeting in person, for whatever reason, I still contribute to the well-being of the team in some way, shape or form, either with some contribution to the team meeting or in a supportive way during the week.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
- I accept blame for when I screw up something that hurts the team, and offer accolades for the teammates when the team wins.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
- I am committed to the team leader winning at his job.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
- I call other men out when they are slacking on their commitment to their best and the success of the team.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
- I ask questions of men on the team, knowing they all have their answers within them, rather than giving unsolicited advice in an attempt to fix a man.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
- I return a call from a teammate in an expedient time-frame, whether there is a standard around that or not, because I realize the relationship, the continued connection and the transfer of information is vital for a successful team.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
- I hold team standards so that we can all stay aligned and cohesive, rather than for the reason I don’t want to do pushups.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
- In choosing a team meeting date, I consider ways in which we can all find an agreeable solution together, rather than defending my individual calendar and what doesn’t work for me.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
- I focus on what I can contribute to the success of the team over what I only can get by participating.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
- I am so humble and hungry to personally expand to higher levels of being that I responded to the above 14 points with absolute honesty.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
ASSESSMENT GRID
121 – 150 – You are a stud, and should already have trophies from school sports. Or you are at the top of believing your own bullshit.
91 – 120 – You are a man others can rely on, and bring a strong backbone for any team. Or you cheated your way through high school too.
61 – 90 – In replying “yes” to any request for help, men will have a backup plan B that will include you flaking out.
31 – 60 – When people talk about fortifying the “weakest link in the chain,” they have you in mind.
1 – 30 – You invented the “suck hole.”
James Anthony Ellis is an award-winning playwright, journalist and filmmaker, who is the author of eight books, including the men-focused “The Honor Book” available HERE.
