Opinion: In spirit of March Madness, be a good teammate
March is here! The weather is warming up, and the yellow pollen has coated everything in its path. March also brings about a favorite pastime with college basketball known as March Madness. This annual college basketball tournament, for both men's and women's teams, is a salute to teamwork, perseverance and working together to complete a common goal and share that "One Shining Moment" as the teams hoist the trophy into the air.
In South Carolina, we have many teams to cheer for, including the South Carolina women's basketball team as they look to repeat as National Champions again this year! In the spirit of March Madness, I'd like to share with readers my March Director's Challenge to Team DSS: "Be a Good Teammate." Here are four tips on how to be a better teammate:
1. Be a good communicator
Healthy communication skills are vital to your professional development. Actively listening, relaying your ideas clearly and taking and receiving feedback effectively will help you advance quicker and connect with your team. Strong communicators also know how to check in with themselves and others so they're always on the same wavelength. This means being self-aware, practicing empathy and improving emotional regulation. You can support others better if you understand your biases and triggers and can put yourself in their shoes.
2. Be a problem-solver
Your team will face challenges. Critical thinking and problem-solving are essential to collaborate effectively and overcome these hurdles. Be ready to suggest creative solutions when brainstorming with your colleagues.
3. Know your role (and your limits)
You should know what's expected of you and how your role fits within the team. You should also be realistic about how much you can take on. Others depend on you, so make sure you can deliver.
4. Take initiative
Taking the initiative means helping prevent problems before they happen. It also means addressing them as soon as they appear, if they do. Be ready to spring into action before someone asks you to. Your initiative may inspire others to be more proactive.
Like a basketball team, DSS and our many partners compete at the highest levels against factors that harm children, families and vulnerable adults. We are battling poverty, hunger and child and adult abuse and neglect. We are battling isolation with our older clients on the APS side. We are battling an increase in homelessness or families on the brink of losing their homes. All of these opponents are relentless and require us to work together as a team to keep pushing the work forward.
Every win means a chance to improve outcomes for S.C.'s children and families!