According to a study, 75% of employees see workplace teamwork as ‘very important. Being part of a team makes you feel safe, comfortable, recognized, and excited.
However, effective teamwork is often tricky and, unless it is happening naturally, organizations tend to struggle to actively generate it.
The truth is that a lot of businesses suffer from low engagement, lack of trust, and poor communication – all of which erode the possibility of healthy workplace teamwork.
As an employer, you must create the conditions in which teams and groups can thrive. Think of it like growing a plant: you do not just command the plant to grow; you identify what they need in order to grow (air, water, and sunlight, for example), and fulfill those needs.
If you want to nurture or improve workplace teamwork, this blog contains some valuable tips by Samir H Bhatt.
How to Improve Workplace Teamwork:
Building Inclusive and Diverse Teams:
Samir H Bhatt thinks that the most important thing for leaders is to focus on creating diverse teams, instead of combining a group of like-minded people together. People with different skills, characteristics, and backgrounds are likelier to bring diverse ideas and perspectives to the discussion. The more varied the perspectives, the more thorough the analyses, and the more informed the final decision.
On the other hand, if all the people in the group have similar thoughts, ideas, and opinions, who will challenge or question those? In other words, it will not be possible to study a problem from every angle, and the final solution is likely to be more one-sided and less innovative.
Establishing Team Rules:
When we are talking about collaboration and openness, the word ‘rules’ might seem a bit counterintuitive. While rules do not always have to be restrictive, they still need to be present to ensure that everyone is on the same page.
According to Samir H Bhatt, the earlier you establish the rules, the better it generally is. However, if you find that the rules are stagnating or even hindering the team, do not be afraid to go back to the drawing board. You can either chat about the rules or have them written down. Regardless, the entire team should be clear about the purpose of each rule. Some examples of team rules are:
- Electronic devices are not to be used during meetings
- We will listen to listen, not listen to respond
- We will be open but respectful in expressing our disagreements
Clarifying the Purpose:
Samir H Bhatt says that, unless a team understands the reason they are doing something, they are unlikely to be able to do it with the utmost commitment, enthusiasm, or attention. Hence, it is important to find the objective – the why – behind any project or target. Moreover, you must also understand the purpose that each step along the way is serving.
When teams see the bigger picture, they are likelier to be more aligned and motivated. In addition, knowing your end goal will make it easier to review the process and make any required changes or modifications.
Final Word:
So, there you have it – three simple but effective ways of sowing the seeds of teamwork in your organization and reaping long-lasting rewards such as greater motivation, higher productivity, and lower employee turnover rates.