Famous clergyman, leadership expert and author John C. Maxwell said in his 2002 book, ‘Teamwork makes the dream work,’ and while it may seem corny, he was right. That’s because close interaction and collaboration with our work colleagues to complete tasks can create meaning, purpose and better outcomes.
Teamwork is vital for any organization, even in the digital age. In fact, some could say with the increasing numbers of people working from home, and spending more time away from the office, it’s even more crucial to be in tune with your work colleagues.
Therefore, to help develop your group become the most efficient and productive in your organization, take a look at our three most effective ways to make your team be the best it can be.
Getting help is not a weakness
There is a preconception that getting help with a task might be construed as a weakness but an article by Medium confirmed it is a strength. How many times have you been given something to do and felt that asking for help might be seen as you not knowing what you’re doing? That’s not the case at all, and being able and willing to ask for guidance is a key part of working in a team.
Being a lone ranger can be highly damaging to a team of people, so it’s important to accept help; this is even true if you feel you do have all the answers. Consider your team’s morale; even if you can approach a problem and solve it, asking your colleagues their opinion helps keep them involved. By doing so, it not only makes you more approachable, but you’ll also benefit from their input.
Don’t be afraid to ask for feedback
Asking for something works both ways, and another key part of working well as a team is being able to ask for feedback on your role. You could consider asking peers for candid feedback on their strengths and weaknesses, and even ask how you can become a better teammate. While all great teams do not have a weak link, as an LHH article on improving team performance notes you only know if a team has a weak link by doing a full diagnostic.
Therefore knowing what is or isn’t working for that matter, provides a deeper understanding of how you can improve your practises going forward. This communication is imperative for good teamwork, but as we’ve demonstrated, communication is about much more than just talking and collaborating; it’s about asking for and giving feedback and help.
Praise goes a long way
Maybe it seems a little obvious to suggest this, but offering praise to your colleagues is another tool to develop a better relationship with team members. You should always be ready to say thank you, acknowledge the input of your team members and make them feel as much a part of the forward effort as everyone else. One of the key drivers behind happiness in the workplace is not money, but a sense of achievement and belonging, of recognition for one’s efforts.
When people do talk about pay, it is often in the context of not getting what they feel they’re worth and that’s a key point; worth. It’s even more imperative when you think about people working at home; there’s a level of disconnection that a good leader or team member can bridge with simple praise and dialogue.
Summary
With any team task, you’re all aiming for the same goal, but if you can’t collaborate, that target will continually keep moving further away. Using some of our communication and feedback tips, you can bring that goal closer and keep kicking the winning points, time and time again.
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