Have you ever been part of a “team” which wasn’t actually a team in the true sense of the word, but more like a group of people doing similar jobs? According to the dictionary definition, teamwork is “the combined action of a group, especially when effective and efficient.” (https://www.lexico.com/definition/teamwork).
So in the workplace a team is a group of people who not only have the same goal, but also have the interpersonal skills to achieve this effectively. Whether you’re somewhat of a lone wolf who prefers to work independently, or a boss that thinks your delegates need a boost, let’s explore the benefits of teamwork together.
What is effective teamwork?
We’ve all heard the phrase ‘teamwork makes the dream work’ but there’s no point in teamwork if it’s not effective. For example if one person isn’t pulling their weight, it soon begins to unravel and can quickly demoralise the rest of the group. Effective teamwork is essentially each individual owning their responsibilities, holding one another accountable and doing what you agreed to do. Effective teamwork is something that requires good problem-solving skills as well as communication and interpersonal skills. If one person drops the ball, the entire project is at risk of failing. For a team to work, members must feel like they can rely on and encourage one another.
What you can achieve when working in a team
There are so many different benefits from working in a team, it’s hard to know where to begin! The obvious benefit is achieving a shared goal in a much more efficient and productive way. One person taking on multiple tasks is counterproductive when you as a team can accomplish tasks faster. Working in a team allows you to develop other skills too. For example, collaborating to come up with develop solutions is a great way to work on your problem solving skills. When you work with people with different abilities, knowledges and capabilities, it allows you to find your own as well.
What you gain from working in a team
It has been well documented that being part of a team can help you grow as an individual too. Every single member of the team is a unique person who has their own set of skills and dynamic point of view to bring to the table. It can be a challenge for the group to bond in the beginning, but doing so allows you to avoid conflict as well as work on your communication skills. Teamwork can allow you to build confidence and have more faith in your decision-making, as well as being a huge motivator. Working in a team allows you to share thoughts and feelings with one another. You have a dedicated support network going through and on working on the same things as you are.
If you’re looking to build a dynamic team with effective teamwork skills and want to know more about how to improve teamworking and communication, get in touch with the team at Beaumont Resilience Training today.