The Importance of Teamwork - Secrets and Tips to Successfully Manage a Team in the Work Environment
Posted: Thursday, May 27, 2010
by Abhy Medkul
In the globalized work culture, there are more demands than before on the individual. In the face of extreme competitiveness it becomes all the more important to acquire a few more personality traits apart from the basic skill sets required to be successful. And one of them definitely is a capability to be able to work in a team. A group of individuals that come together with a common goal could be considered in many eyes as a team. What differentiates a team from a group is the teams commitment to its objectives, goals, and successes. An efficient and productive team requires members with traits such as communication, motivation, creativity, trust, respect, and leadership to be an asset to his/her team.
One area in which skills are also required is communication as it affects all aspects of work. Good communication refers to the ability to make oneself clear to others without any confusion in the least possible time. It also includes the flow of information from the other side completing the circle. A team environment cannot function efficiently under networks where communication travels only downwards in the hierarchy. What works better in team situations is the circle or all-channel networks in which each team member air his/or her views. Communications in that form helps increase levels of satisfaction within the team and with individual team members.
Apart from communication, teamwork requires being specific, enhancing self-esteem, and listening effectively. Being specific means conveying directions to the team that are precise and clear about what is to be done and what results are to be achieved. Team members can create an environment that invites people to feel good about them as well as feel good about the work that he or she does, which could also enhance self-esteem. It is no secret that the way people feel about themselves affects their work. People, who feel good about him or herself produce better results.
Listening is a skill that is an absolute must for success of team effort. When the focus is more on formulating a rebuttal to what is being said, than on listening, things are sure to go awry. The gesture of listening strengthens mutual respect between team leaders and their team members. The changing scenario requires team leaders to make a greater use of influence through personal power instead of positional power. Personal power is having power with people, not over people.
The task of leadership in any team situation is critical as much is required of this individual. A leader is someone who can influence someone to do something that they may or may not want to do. A leader is someone who projects self-confidence, authority and enthusiasm when confronted with challenges. To be a team leader, that person must first have the gift to set aside their individual styles of leadership and open their mind up to hear different opinions, thoughts, and ideas to solve conflicts in favor of the team. A good leader, regardless of his or her own opinion, may be discussed within a team, must have the personal fortitude to avoid arguments, and calm the emotions of team members when the members do not agree with one another.
An open-minded leader must be able to think outside the box too, and empower team members to come together and complete assigned tasks, regardless of the strong opinions and emotions that cause conflicts. Persuasive reasoning is far more effective than giving orders or just ignoring problems. Teamwork requires motivated members and it is a task of the leader to keep the morale high. With the right motivation of other group members, the slackness can be countered. Creativity is another important factor to the dynamics of a team. Being creative allows a person or the group to take their own experiences and find a variety of approaches to solving different situations that can come about. A team member who can " think outside of the box " allows other people in the group to gain a different perspective of the problem.
Trust among team members is another key element to a teams dynamics that can make or break a team. A team must always work towards a common goal and develop a trustworthy rapport. Some members of the team may be used to having things run their way, which is bound to cause a power conflict within the group and trust might get pushed aside. Although trust is impossible without mutual respect, trust will encourage a level of respect from members of the team.
It is so often seen that people try desperately to bypass the proper communication channel in such situations as there is a paucity of trust in the colleagues as well as seniors. Praise in public and criticism in private is the mantra which works well here. No one would want faults pointed out in the presence of the other team members, whereas praise would be the best tool to win over the individuals.
It must be understood by the individuals that the team cannot be formed around him or her but that individual will be arbitrarily put in a team. Flexibility in ones own ideas and accommodation for the others point of view is a very big plus. However it also does not imply that one remains passive in the face of overbearing attitude. Tact and diplomacy mild words that do not bruise the heart do the trick. There is no doubt that malleability to a great extent is required but there is nothing like joy shared by a team when its goals have been met.
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)I think there's a lot of wisdom in your article, and everything you say applies to any kind of relationship. Your ideas are so clear and you express them very articulately, which makes for a great read. Thanks.I value your feedback. Thank you.:)
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