The "I" in Team: Being Solution-Oriented in Collaborative Settings

I will never forget my first season in my high school’s One Act Play troupe. It was one of my first real experiences creating art, and since I was never one for sports, it was one of my first real experiences being on a team.

For a while, the late rehearsals were exhausting, the stage lights were hot, the costumes were uncomfortable, and I was beginning to wonder why I had ever auditioned. Then something clicked, and my whole outlook changed.

As our rehearsals became more intense and competition loomed ever-closer, I began to understand my place in the team around me. It was exhilarating to see our ragtag cast work together toward a common goal, and I fell in love with the collaborative art of theatre.

Here are a few things theatre has taught me over the years about teamwork. Not a thespian? No problem! These tips will help you unlock your team’s productivity whether you are putting on a show, working on a group project, or getting ready for a big game.

Introspection is important, but people tend to be their own worst critics. If you were a product, what would the flashy text on the label say? Perhaps you have a skill to contribute - like leadership skills or natural athleticism - or maybe you are good at communicating or organizing tasks and deadlines. I often find myself being the “right-hand man,” staying calm and positive in times of stress, using patience to try and make others’ lives easier. Being able to keep a level head is a lovely strength to have!

I like to think of teams like a puzzle, and as a teammate, you have to figure out how your puzzle piece fits in with the others. This means putting in work on your own time to make sure your puzzle piece is properly carved out and compatible with your team. For example, an actor needs to prepare by learning his lines and cues, and an athlete has to make sure they are taking care of their body through sleep, hydration, and exercise so they can bring their A game. Doing the grunt work on your own time means your team can be more productive when you meet up.

In a team setting, the best idea is generally the one with the highest chance of success. For example, a “hail mary” pass is certainly exciting and it has the chance to change the state of a game, but its success rate is so low that it is rarely worth trying. My improv troupe recently encountered this firsthand preparing for our annual variety show, which included songs and skits alongside the usual improv games. We were full of fun ideas, but in order to put on the best show possible, we only ended up performing acts that were logistically simple, wellscripted, or well-rehearsed. We came at it from the mindset that if we had to roll the dice as to whether an act was safe or entertaining, it was not worth sacrificing the quality of the show overall.

Without fail, life will get in the way of teamwork. Inevitably, someone will get sick, a tire will go flat, or a family emergency will come up, and a teammate will be stuck struggling to manage. When life happens, being able to make sacrifices for your team can make a world of difference. This could mean putting in extra work on a Powerpoint presentation or working an extra shift building a theatre set, and it is always an inconvenience. The ability to take on inconvenience with a smile will make others feel more confident in their team, and it shows commitment to your shared goal.

No team lasts forever. Even longrunning sports teams change lineups all the time. That just makes it even more important to celebrate victories of all shapes and sizes. Completed the project? Won the game? Finished dress rehearsal? Take a moment to celebrate, take pride in your work, and thank your team for their help. Finally, be mindful of what you learned in the process and be ready to apply your discoveries the next time you find yourself in a team setting.

WRITTEN BY AUSTIN ROBERTS