What Makes a Good Teammate? 13 Qualities of Our Favorite Coworkers

Communication, collaboration, reliability, and positivity. When we think of what makes a good teammate, it’s not hard to come up with the right words. 

But what does this actually look like in action? As with most traits of a happy, healthy workplace culture, it’s a collection of small gestures and blink-and-you-missed-it interactions. Not someone in a cape swooping in to save the day or buying everyone lunch (although that’s nice when it happens too). 

Today, we’re taking a look at how to be a good coworker.

13 traits of good teammates

If you think any of the following sounds virtuous, you’re not giving yourself or employees enough credit. A lot of people display at least a handful of these behaviors at work. However, without adequate peer recognition, it can be difficult to call it what it is and measure its impact. 

Here’s what makes a good teammate. 

1. They say hello!

The best qualities of a good teammate begin with first (and last) impressions. Paying coworkers the courtesy of greeting them is a very small show of respect and consideration, but it matters.

They don’t have to be enthusiastic or interrupt anything–it’s just a habit. It’s also pretty important for cross-department, siloed, and remote colleagues we don’t interact with as much, but need to nurture rapport with. 

2. They go deeper than general compliments.

When a great teammate appreciates something, they can tell you exactly why it was so pleasing. Specific praise boosts morale by making people feel seen and understood, as well as appreciated. 

“This is so easy to read, you’re really good at organization,” is more memorable and impactful than “Hey, that looks great.” Both parties feel gratitude; one for the good work, the other for the compliment.

3. They never let praise expire.

Great teammates also swear by “see something, say something”–in a positive way. If their coworker asks an interesting question during a meeting, they let them know how helpful it was as soon as it’s appropriate to do so.

Think about what could happen if they didn’t. Maybe the employee was nervous about asking the question and thought it might sound dumb to their coworkers. Not only do their worries get resolved, but they get positive reinforcement to keep asking helpful questions. 

4. They’re not fair-weather friends.

One of the key characteristics of a good teammate is that they don’t act too differently based on your performance or position. If they celebrate a win, they should also remain supportive when there’s a mistake or setback. 

A positive workplace culture isn’t predicated on employees being a total success every day. We want to create an environment where people search for creative solutions or take worthy, measured risks.

5. They assess themselves fairly and strive to improve.

Sounds lofty, huh? It truly isn’t–this appears at work in small ways. Good teammates will acknowledge when something isn’t their best work or greatest strength, even offhandedly. 

However, they won’t get stuck there or use it to get out of doing stuff. You’ll see them try, even when progress isn’t coming easily.

6. They’re willing to go first.

A little bit of vulnerability is a good thing. Solid teammates don’t always rely on someone else to break the ice, raise an issue, or take the lead on something. 

The ability to put themselves out there, no matter how low-risk, is a sign of trust. When we feel our teammates trust us to support them, we’re more willing to do the same.

7. They’ll play catch-up with you.

Good teammates are present. You’ll find them helping someone else get to the finish line or sharing trade secrets during a coffee chat. 

Whether hanging out in the Slack chat or weighing in beside a real, live watercooler, work-related socialization and impromptu collaboration are musts for engagement and cohesive teams. 

8. They return the favor.

Favors with a great teammate are more than transactions; they’re fun, equitable exchanges. When teammates say, “I owe you for this,” it doesn’t mean there’s a debt. It means you can count on them when you need something, too.

So don’t be afraid to ask–they’ve got you.

9. They anticipate needs.

You don’t need to be a mind reader or become the company concierge. Being one step ahead of the game sometimes is just part of what makes a good teammate. 

Refilling the coffee, downloading the update, and other considerations prevent problems in the future. They’re sure signs that someone’s invested in the success of the collective.

10. They’re discreet with criticisms.

Celebrations in public, feedback in private. Our best coworkers know the appropriate venue and approach for addressing issues. 

Our favorite teammates also provide safe spaces for honest conversations, requesting and sharing feedback in productive ways.

11. They have a sense of humor.

We take work seriously, but it helps when we don’t take ourselves too seriously. A good teammate should be able to join in the fun and have a laugh now and then.

The bottom line is that a happy workplace gives employees something to smile about, whether it’s project success, sharing an inside joke, or poking a little fun at ourselves.

12. They’ll show you how it’s done.

There’s nothing like working next to someone who gatekeeps a tip, trick, or hack. What is that about? No one learns everything there is to know by themselves. You have to be willing to share.

If you want to be a good teammate, make a note of your discoveries. The path forward is paved with bite-sized bits of knowledge, helping to smooth the way for others.

13. They’re generous.

Do you treat your coworkers as well as you would clients or customers? Being responsive, hearing them out, and looking out for their interests, too?

This is one of the top characteristics of a good teammate, and it benefits them as much as it does their colleagues. Trust, support, communication–these need to be mutual to endure. And when those values are firmly in place, productivity and job satisfaction thrive.

HeyTaco puts great teammates in the spotlight 🌮 🤩

Peer recognition platforms like HeyTaco give employees more chances to be excellent to one another. Users give and receive virtual tacos of recognition that increase the number of positive interactions coworkers have. This allows engagement, morale, and productivity to bloom naturally. 

Fitness company Crossrope finds that it ties its hybrid team together. “I’ll see a shoutout and think, ‘Wow, I didn’t even know those two were collaborating!’ It’s been amazing to see the connections and achievements that might otherwise go unnoticed,” says the company’s Culture and People Manager. Easy implementation, seamless integration, and better teamwork begin with a free trial.