The Ten Commandments of Being a Team Member

1. Thou shall be trusted. This means:

• You have integrity. You live with integrity. You promote integrity. 
• You do not make promises you cannot keep. 
• You keep confidences.
• You choose to do the right thing over the easy thing.
• You know what is listed on your resume is the truth and can be verified.

2. Thou shall know thy strengths and lead accordingly. This means:

• You also know your weaknesses and are not afraid to admit them.
• You allow others to lead with their gifts, talents and passions.
• You empower others.
• You walk-your-talk and are a role model.
• You build relationships and network.

3. Thou shall have a personal vision and thou shall support, believe and promote the team’s vision. This means:    

• You examine your life, because the unexamined life is not worth living! 
• You know your core principles. You use your core principles as a foundation to discover your purpose and mission.
• You know the team’s mission and are inspired by the team’s mission because it is in sync with your personal mission. 
• You live your mission and the team’s mission.

4. Thou knows thy customer is actually a guest. This means:

• You know the guest is ANYONE who relies on your work—including team members as well as those seeking your goods and services.
• You treat the guest the way you’d treat your mother!
• You know the way you treat team members has tremendous impact on how you treat others who desire your goods and services.
• You know that the guest desires to have a great experience and you can choose to give them a great experience!
• You know that you must strive to bring your best to the team everyday.

5. Thou shall seek to understand. This means:

• You are curious. You ask questions, especially, “Tell me more!”
• You listen more than you talk.
• You suspend judgment.
• You avoid assumptions.
• You deal with change constructively and effectively. You understand that change is an opportunity rather than a problem.

6. Thou encourages others. This means:

• You get to know others on the team including how they like to receive praise, where they like to receive praise and when they like to receive praise.
• You catch people doing the right things and acknowledge their actions.
• You give away credit.
• You practice compassion continuously, especially with those who have a lower title and less power than you.
• You give people your time including your full, undivided attention and don’t one-up them when they tell their story.
• You are more interested in others than being interesting to others.

7. Thou shall not triangulate. This means:

• You meet face-to-face with the person you have a problem or conflict. You do not use email to deal with emotional issues. You don’t go to another team member and spread your problem.
• You draw upon a neutral third party who can help each side see the other’s point of view.
• You acknowledge the fear creeping into the relationship and work to find common ground to have a conversation and avoid bad behavior.
• You avoid being a victim. You recognize the world is not out to get you! 
• You do not complain or whine especially when things do not go your way. This is wasted energy. You are not an ouch looking for a hurt!

8. Thou shall not become a workaholic. This means:

• You have a life and encourage others to have a life.
• You inspire balance for others.

9. Thou shall not come to work sick. This means:

• You cannot be good for the team unless you are good for yourself.
• You do not spread your illness to others.
• You prevent becoming sick by sharpening your saw daily including eating well, getting exercise and getting enough sleep.

10. Thou shall not take thyself so seriously. This means:

• You do not let shame rule your life. You will make mistakes. It’s a part of being human.
• You learn from mistakes and failures. They are valuable lessons.
• You know not to take things personally. It’s not all about you!
• You learn to laugh at yourself...out loud...loudly...often!