I’m in and out of a lot of businesses and offices throughout the week. Some come across as happy places. Others — not so much. It doesn’t take long to figure out which is which.

There are many cliches thrown around when it comes to teamwork. I’m sure you’ve heard the one that states the team is only as strong as its weakest link. And my least favorite: Teamwork makes the dream work.

Are you part of a team? 

A team can be defined as a group of individuals who perform duties that contribute to accomplishing a common objective. There are teams in sports. There are teams in education. There are teams in fast-food restaurants. There are teams in place to help someone win an election. Families are a team.

If you’re part of a team, do you consider yourself a team player? The website asq.com states a “team player is someone who cares more about helping a group or team to succeed than about his or her individual success.” Team players typically have strong communication, collaboration, active listening, and problem-solving skills. A team player works toward the good of the team. Team players aren’t constantly stirring the pot and creating drama in the work place, the dugout, or at the kitchen table.

If I was to ask you if being on a team was important, how would you respond? If I asked you if you considered yourself a team player, how would you respond? If I asked those around you if they considered you a valuable member of the team — a team player — how would they respond? Do you even care? A team player would.

Strong teams are made up of team players. I coached college and high school baseball for several years. I was fortunate to have been a part of many good teams. I was also a part of teams that had more individuals than team players. Can you guess which was more enjoyable to be part of?

I came across the website hipeople.com. It did a great job of describing attributes of a team player. The main team player bullet points included:

• they understand their role 

• they embrace collaboration 

• they hold themselves accountable

• they are committed to their team 

• they are flexible

• they back up goals with action.

Strangely, none of the following attributes were included:

• thinking others want to hear them complain

• believes they are steering the ship even without having access to the wheel

• fills other’s heads with negativity

• is a master of bringing others down

• not happy unless they’re unhappy

• doesn’t care if the team fails

• carries around the big pot-stirring spoon.

Do yourself and those around you a favor. If you finally recognize you aren’t in it for the good of the group — fix it. Find a better situation. Or, better yet, find a way to fix yourself. Everyone will benefit, including you.

Be aware of your actions and your attitudes. Having an occasional good day does not necessarily make you a team player. It is a commitment that you want to be where you are and be a productive member of the team.

Life is way too short to always be unhappy — even if that makes you happy. Create a positive effect. It’s so much easier than always looking for the negatives.

Communicate. Collaborate. Cooperate.

Don’t be the weakest link.  

 — Keith Lippoldt