This post was developed via a partnership with BetterHelp.
If you own your own business or you are in a leadership position, you should understand the importance of team-building events, creating a helpful atmosphere, and working together for the good of the company.
If your company does not implement teamwork, it could lead to detrimental effects. Learn more about teamwork, why it is important for your business, and how to implement it today!
Defining Teamwork
According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, teamwork is “work done by several associates with each doing a part but all subordinating personal prominence to the efficiency of the whole.”
In other words, teamwork is when multiple people can come together and work towards a single goal. When everyone uses their unique skill set to contribute to this single goal, success is more likely to occur.
Why is Teamwork Important for Your Business
Teamwork is extremely important for all companies. With cooperation, you are more likely to have a successful business and happier employees. Not only can it aid in your success, but it can also help your company grow.
When employees know they are valued and that they are not alone, they will be much happier within the company. Teamwork can boost their morale and assist in their satisfaction.
Teamwork can also have an impact on a person’s mental health. With good collaboration, individuals learn how to problem-solve, regulate emotions, improve communication skills, and become more optimistic. You can discover more about the correlation between teamwork and mental health with the help of reliable, medically-reviewed resources.
How To Implement Teamwork
Create a Good Communication System
One of the most crucial aspects of implementing good teamwork within your company is creating a sound communication system. Without good communication between employees and coworkers, you will be unable to accomplish goals or daily responsibilities.
For example, you can create a sound communication system by requiring weekly meetings. Many companies create meetings where employees are to listen and not give feedback. However, if you want to build good teamwork, your employees must have a space to speak. Not only will you learn more about the status of your staff’s teamwork, but you can also build trust with your team. Good communication is the key to accomplishing things together as a team.
Set Goals as a Team
Another way to build good teamwork is by setting goals as a team. Instead of setting a goal and asking others to accomplish it by the deadline, consider determining the objective together.
For example, if your ultimate goal is to boost sales, ask your employees to come up with ideas on how to do it. After hearing some suggestions, you can have the last say in your decision. This allows team members to feel like they are contributing to their purpose and goals.
Setting goals as a team also allows members to feel more connected to the goal. They will be more willing to strive towards their objective if they know they don’t have to do it alone. A team effort is a great way to set goals and achieve them.
Practice Teamwork Outside of Daily Responsibilities
We’ve all heard the phrase: practice makes perfect. Establishing teamwork is not exempt from this phrase. The more you practice teamwork, the better your company will be at it. You can exercise this outside of the workplace or simply outside of daily responsibilities.
You can determine your team-building exercises based on your team’s availability and the nature of their work. For example, consider breaking your staff into four groups and having a thirty-minute trivia game after your weekly meeting. Or it could be a company picnic filled with team-based games.
When you implement team-building exercises outside of their workload, it gives your employees a chance to take a break, relax, and hone their teamwork skills.
Assign Clear Instructions
One of the easiest ways to fail as a leader is by not assigning clear instructions. When you aren’t explicit in your expectations, there is more room for failure and confusion. it is vital to be clear when speaking with your employees.
For example, you ask a team to create a new advertisement for your company blog and they provide you with a bright, busy, and animated skit. If you were expecting a minimalistic, neutral, and calm advertisement, you will be disappointed with their product.
However, who is in the wrong? If you do not provide your employees with clear instructions, they will be unable to perform in the way you want. Team building is established on specified foundations.
Offer Rewards and Recognition
Another way to help your employees build teamwork is by offering rewards and recognition! There are hundreds of prizes that you can give your staff members. It could be a gift card to a local coffee shop or a free pass to leave the office two hours earlier than normal. When you implement a reward system, you are encouraging your employees to work their hardest. They will be more efficient, productive, and focused if they have a reward to work towards.
Other ways that you can offer a reward or recognition are through promotions and employees of the month. Many staff members may be shy, but wish to be recognized for their hard work. Offering an employee of the month grants them the recognition they deserve.
When you are rewarding your employees and teams, they will be excited to work for you! This is a fantastic way to keep job satisfaction high and recruit new members.
Define Responsibilities for Everyone
If you ever had a group project in high school or college, you understand the frustration of unequal workloads. There is always that one team member that does not contribute to the same level as everyone else. This is why it is pertinent to clearly define responsibilities for each team member.
For example, do not assign a group a collective project. Rather create a goal and then allocate responsibilities to everyone. When you take the time to define each individual’s responsibility, they are more likely to remain cheerful and willing to work.
Another reason to define responsibilities is to give your employees a sense of purpose. Having a clear definition of their role allows them to know your expectations and the goals of the company. When each person knows the goals of the company, their teamwork will be strengthened.