Definition Essay - Team Player

Team Player

Working with people is practically infeasible. The constant confrontations and refutations makes me wonder how the world even functions in the first place. From school, work, and other aspects of my life, I have been forced into groups and social situations in which I thought I would never make it out alive. But as I obviously know, I do. But how? I’ve pondered this question for many years and quite frankly, I was alarmed to see the words “ team player” corresponding with my answers on the personality test. But after careful research I have discovered that the way I, and many others, get through these tough situations is from the help of a divine intervention. This contrivance is found all around, in every nook and cranny and the world often overlooks the contrivance because they are looking for something, instead of someone. The almighty contrivance is known as a team player.

The noun “team” comes from the Old English tēam ‘team of draft animals,’ of Germanic origin; related to German Zaum ‘bridle,’ also to teem and tow, from an Indo-European root shared by Latin ducere ‘to lead.’ The noun “player” comes from the Old English plegere, agent noun from play, attested from 1974.The word itself means someone who plays or works well as a member of a team or group. It comes from the 1855-90’s Americanism used in baseball. For example, when Babe Ruth was ranked number one on the list of “Baseball’s 100 Greatest Players” in 1988. Through his dedication and commitment to his team, it is obvious that Ruth didn’t receive that ranking for nothing.

A team player is like a cup of coffee. When I’m dragging in the morning and need something to jump start my day, I take one or two sips, perhaps the whole mug on the roughest of days, of the sweet taste of selflessness and I am ready to go on with my day. A team player, like coffee, can provide the warm, comforting feeling that gives the support needed to accomplish the daily goals that have been set. In addition to the content, safe feeling a team player and coffee provide, the health benefits are beyond compare as they are both favorably great to the mind, body, and soul.

In contrast,

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