This publication looks at the ways in which one who is part of a team can help improve the team's performance. The successes and failures of a fictional team are used to illustrate real-life team skills. Examples are drawn from a number of imaginary scenarios--for example, looking for a cache of diamonds in the Brazilian jungle, straightening ties on a mid-eighteenth century railroad track, and acting in a Shakespearean play in the seventeenth century. A series of recommendations for team members provides specific advice on how to improve performance in areas such as clarifying personal goals, managing conflict, better utilizing available skills, becoming more innovative, and building commitment. A worksheet helps the reader choose the most important recommendations, rank them by importance, and develop specific goals for team improvement. (ND)