We've all been put on a group project only to find ourselves frustrated about the lack of cohesion between the team.
Take two minutes to read, explore, and reflect. We've all been put on a group project only to find ourselves frustrated about the cohesion—or lack thereof—between the team. Though competency, critical thinking, or even organization skills might be considered covetable traits to have in a teammate, a recent study determined there are actually two other attributes desired above them all: friendliness and trustworthiness. The study placed students into teams for two seven-week periods. In that time, they assessed up to three others for their work quality (competency) and personal reputation (friendliness and trustworthiness). The last part of the study allowed the student participants to form their own teams. Ultimately, people chose teammates they considered as trustworthy versus competent. The cream of the crop, naturally, were those who were both easy to be around who were also skilled. We see this play out anecdotally in the everyday world, as well. Many will actively avoid working with someone who's difficult—even if they're an expert on the matter. Being able to form relationships with our coworkers and foster those relationships into trusting ones is really crucial for success," We can learn two things from this data. First, that leaning into our own interpersonal skills by being communicative, kind, and dependable can take us far in group settings. That means that even if you're not highly skilled or are a new person to the team, you can be seen as a valuable asset. Second, when choosing teammates, it's important to consider how easy it is to work with others. Competency is important, but a kind and trustworthy teammate might prove more successful and enjoyable. Ways to Stay Positive This Week Products to Help You Feel Your Best -
Taking a minute out of your day to acknowledge your appreciation for someone can go a long way. These ThoughtFulls Pop-Open Cards from Compendium make it easy to do. Each has blank lines to write a quick personalized note while the other side has an inspiring quote. -
The Hello Monday podcast—hosted by LinkedIn's senior editor-at-large Jessi Hempel—examines the current work landscape. Topics covered include team building, communication, taking your PTO, creativity, and more. - For a little extra help learning how to improve your interpersonal skills, try reading one of these eight self-help books covering a range of topics including body language, effective speaking, and general people skills.
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