How to Improve Teamwork in the Workplace

by Jacinth Klee

For an organization to succeed and sustain commendable results in current economic times, it is imperative to develop and maintain a culture of teamwork within the whole organization. Teamwork comprises of co-operation and integration of efforts in order to achieve better results and higher job satisfaction among workers, rather than individual focus and unhealthy competition, which causes suspicion and hostility within the company. Moreover, working in teams promotes creation of ideas, improves performance through sharing while reducing unnecessary duplication of efforts.

To develop teamwork culture within an organization, the management must first understand the essential components of teamwork, the characteristics of a successful team, the factors that motivate the members (or workers) to work together towards achieving common goals and the mechanics of achieving teamwork within a company, before they can communicate their expectations to the rest of the company.

STEPS TOWARDS BUILDING A TEAMWORK CULTURE:

Clear Goals
To build a teamwork culture, the workers in an organization must know and understand the goals of the company. It would be very unproductive if the goals are unclear, and you will have a situation where individuals have their own interpretation of the company goals, and thus work towards totally different objectives.
The organizational goals and objectives must be clearly and distinctly communicated to the workers or team. In order for them to be committed to the results, they have to know what they are expected to accomplish and understand how they will work together to achieve these goals.

Mutual Trust
The general willingness to trust differs with each individual, depending on their personality types, academic and social backgrounds. There will be people who are at extreme ends of the spectrum the gullible and the suspicious. Building trust is therefore very important; employees or team members have to believe in the character and ability of each other. However, the organizational culture will also affect the climate of trust. An organization that values openness, empowerment and honesty is more likely to create trusting cultures.

Integrated commitment
This means intense loyalty and dedication to the company. The employees identify with their organization and possess a feeling of pride and belonging. They are willing to expend energy, time and resources to achieve the organizational goals.

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How to Improve Teamwork in the Workplace (3)

Management Support
There should be proper training for all levels of employees at all levels of the organization. A reward system to recognize and reward team activities will help to reinforce teamwork. However, the reward system should look into rewarding individuals as well; there could be workers or team members who take a free ride on their team success, while making minimum or no contribution to support the team.

CONCLUSION
The success of developing and supporting a teamwork culture depends very much on the people in the organization. It is the effort and commitment of everyone in the organization to ensure that this works; a culture where people redefine themselves to be part of the organization, and are willing to expend time and energy to work together towards achieving the company goals.

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Source: http://www.helium.com/items/1262223-how-to-encourage-teamwork-in-the-workplace
Learn more about this author, Jacinth Klee.
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How to Improve Teamwork in the Workplace (2)

Effective Communication
Messages, information and instructions
must be conveyed in a form that is easily and clearly understood. There must be regular and constructive feedback from the managers or management - to provide directions and advice; guidance to resolve conflicts and correct misunderstandings. Communication should be two-way. There must be an appropriate channel of communication with team members or workers to provide updates, feedback and opinions as well as check on the progress status of tasks and projects.

Appropriate leadership
It is imperative to have effective leadership within the organization to ensure that plans are properly implemented and monitored. Workers may require motivation to follow through the tasks and be constantly reminded of the company's vision and objectives. An effective leader will guide and support the workers, help increase their self-confidence and realize their potential more fully. There must be a system for the workers to measure their work, and check against company goals. Without measurement and answerability, some workers will either lose focus of their goals or waste time and efforts on unproductive tasks.

Managing Resistance
Teamwork must be promoted throughout the organization, and driven by the top management. There will be minions at all levels of the organization who will treat this with skeptism, resistance or outright hostility. The management must be observant and open to deal with these staff or managers, before they hamper the entire process with their negative attitudes or disbelief.

Encourage Team Activities
To ensure that team spirit endures and permeates through all levels of the organization, the theme should be team.
All activities and projects should be organized or assigned on team-basis. Members and workers should be given every opportunity and encourage to work as a team. Besides work, the management should look into organizing activities for workers to bond, like company outings, lunches, even fun contests that emphasize teamwork.

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