The Art of Being a Great Teammate: How Great Teams Are Built, One Person at a Time

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Success in any organization—whether in sports, business, or leadership—depends on the strength of its teams. While talent and strategy matter, true excellence is built on trust, commitment, and the ability to elevate those around us.

Few understand this better than JP Clark, a professional basketball coach with over a decade of experience leading and developing elite athletes in the NBA and G League.

Clark began his coaching career in college at Colgate University and the University of Central Florida before moving into professional coaching. He worked with the Boston Celtics in player development and as an assistant coach for the Maine Red Claws, the Celtics’ G League affiliate. He then spent seven seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers, where he played a key role in developing some of the NBA’s biggest stars. Currently, Clark is in his fourth season as an assistant coach for the Delaware Blue Coats, the G League affiliate of the Philadelphia 76ers, who won the 2022-23 NBA G League Championship.

But beyond the X’s and O’s, Coach Clark is a teacher, mentor, and culture builder. He has worked within many different organizations, experiencing firsthand what makes teams thrive—not just skill or talent, but the quality of the teammates within them.

In every industry, whether it’s sports or business, being a great teammate is a competitive advantage. Strong teams don’t just happen—they are built by leaders and individuals who show up, invest in others, and commit to a shared mission.

According to Coach Clark, great teammates consistently embody these 10 qualities:

1. Lead By Example: The best teammates establish winning cultures through their own character, commitment, and work ethic.

2. Sacrifice Your Ego: The ultimate teammates set aside their personal agendas, sacrificing themselves for the good of the team.

3. Care Passionately: Great teammates are incredibly supportive. They are excited for your success and always have your back during times of struggle.

4. Bring Out the Best in Others: Great teammates completely believe in their fellow team members.

5. Communicate Openly: A great teammate connects with team members by personally investing in each one.

6. Be a Positive Force: A great teammate lifts the spirits of the group through enthusiasm and encouragement.

7. Show Respect: Great teammates are coachable.

8. Be Reliable: The best teammates can always be counted on.

9. Be Competent: Great teammates push themselves to expand their understanding of the systems they employ.

10. Be Highly Competitive: Great teammates are fueled by an internal fire that pushes them toward continual improvement.

The best teams aren’t just collections of talented individuals. While such groups might win in the short term, great teams with great teammates are built for the long game of mastery, excellence, and transformation.

Coach JP Clark’s insights remind us that, regardless of our role, industry, or ambitions, the results we achieve are directly tied to the kind of teammate we are and the teammates that surround us.

Great teammates commit to a standard of excellence, lift each other up, and work toward something bigger than themselves—focusing on we, not me.

So ask yourself: Are you the kind of teammate who elevates those around you? Do people feel inspired and excited to collaborate with you to create a meaningful impact?

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Here is a downloadable PDF of Coach JP Clark’s 10 Qualities of a Great Teammate.

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