Hello, I am Bon Prisa Jakobsen, Executive Coach, Corporate Trainer and Online Content Creator.

We have learnt 5 key skills to help us work as a team, most of which are about self-awareness. Now for 6-10, they are going to be about communicating with others.

6. Understand Other People's Strengths

Sixth, understand other people's strengths.

Actually, this is quite automatic. If you understand yourself, you'll start to see strengths in other people. Don't just look at what they're not good at.

Imagine if someone tells you, "You don't look so confident when you speak." They would be highlighting a weakness. But if they came up and said "You're such a detailed planner. I really like your work. It's so easy to follow." When someone recognizes your strengths, you are happy to work with them. Who would you prefer to work with? Of course, people who see the good in us.

If we find what each team member is good at, not only do they love us but we will also know, when the team needs specific skills, who to go to.

For example, I have a deadline which requires work to be urgently completed. We need to rush to complete the project. We know that Jang's strength is public speaking. "Jang, You speak so well, please help.". Or a client doesn't like a proposed idea. We need a revision today. We know Bom is a very creative person. Bom, can you help me?

First, they get to do good for the team. Second, they'll be proud to use their strengths. Giving someone the chance to feel proud of themselves is the best gift you can ever give them.

7. Communication and Teamwork

The 7th key is communication; communicating with the team to align goals. Where are we today? What direction are we going in? Communication is the most important thing.

Have you ever watched a cooking show? The Chef working in the kitchen is yelling all the time, shouting "the fish is almost cooked, where are the vegetables? How long before we can serve? The gravy must come at the same time!". If they don't communicate with each other, the fish may arrive first, stand around and go dry. The gravy will thicken while it's waiting for the vegetables.

Team communication is essential. It's vital.

8. Be Responsible For Your Work

The eighth key is responsibility. Let's say you have all 7 skills so far, but you lack responsibility for your work. You compliment other people's strengths but your own work is never finished. No-one will want to work with you.

So it's really important to be responsible for your own work; to be accountable.

9. Know Their Language

Number 9; learn each other's language. Of course, in Thailand our language is Thai, but here we are talking about “language” in a different context.

For example, one person may be analytical; they hear some news and start analyzing different scenarios; what could have happened. That means this person likes reasoning and evidence. When you talk with them you need to present both valid reasoning and evidence. For example, if you said "I think this idea is better", they will say "OK, but where's the evidence?". So you need to know that they like evidence.

Some people have a lot of empathy and are good at understanding people's feelings. So, when you talk to them, you should use emotional language. For example, "I'm uncomfortable doing this because I'm not good at it". "Uncomfortable" would be the keyword for someone with empathy, because they relate to emotions well.

For some, language may be small things. I've got a friend who works in an organization and she says her boss really likes shredded pork. When she’s in meetings with her boss, she brings shredded pork with her.

This is understanding each other's language, by knowing people's likes and dislikes. Trust me, when you talk in their language, the conversation will be easy.

10. Use Positive Words

Number 10, the last take home, is to use positive words.

Inject positive psychology into your work. Positive psychology is about using positive words. For example, instead of saying that the result is "awful", lose "awful" in favor of "The results show there's room for improvement". It's more encouraging.

Or instead of saying, "This project is hard", we can change "hard" to "challenging". We can say, "This project is challenging". You feel it when it's spoken, right? It fuels us to do the task.

So try to notice when someone says something that makes you feel empowered. Store those words to use among your team, because these words are the fuel that ignites your team.

Becoming a Good Team Player

So these are the 10 keys that will help people on the team love you and you to accept yourself.

It's easy. You just need to know the skills you have that can help the team, including empathy; understanding others. Let other people shine with their skills, be responsible for your work, and reach out to team members when you can. Use positive language among your team, and keep communication flowing all the time.

That's it! The team will be effective and everyone in the team will love each other. You could be the superstar of the team who everyone loves and accepts.

CI Talks.

Have you watched Episode 1? Get Bon Jakobsen’s first 5 takeaways in: “Working as a Team Player”

The Future of Work video web series is brought to you by CI Talks. Find more inspirational videos and stories that spark change on CITalks.com and be inspired to take action and grow.