How many cheesy motivational quotes about teams can you think of? ‘Teamwork makes the dream work’ is one of our (least) favourites. As such, teamwork is often underestimated and dismissed as lovey-dovey nonsense. Should we be so quick to write off the power of working together?
Well, in short, no we shouldn’t. Working as part of an effective team can not only boost a company’s success, but also your own. So, bearing this in mind, what makes a successful team? Let us fill you in!
Why is teamwork so important?
Teamwork is vital to the success of a business and there are a plethora of reasons as to why. Want proof? Here are just a few benefits of working as part of a strong team to get you started:
- Different points of view
- Support system
- Colleagues learn from one another
- Helping hands
- Keeps you motivated
- Can accomplish more
We could go on, but you get the message; teamwork works! (Is that another cheesy motivational quote?) If a strong team is so important to a business, it’s helpful to know what makes a successful team. We’ve put together some of what we think are the key factors that promote an effective team culture in the workplace.
What makes a successful team?
- Communication
- Trust
- Diverse set of skills
- Shared goals
- A strong leader
- Fun
Communication
Effective communication is central to so many different facets of business. Poor communication can result in losing customers, missing out on deals, making catastrophic mistakes and creating a chaotic work environment. Needless to say, you can’t build a good team without good communication.
Creating a culture in which employees can communicate openly and honestly, and be listened to is one of the fundamental building blocks of teamwork. The most successful teams keep each other in the loop in order to function as a unit. That way, everyone knows who’s doing what, what needs to be done and where things are up to. This helps everything flow much more easily.
Trust
The great thing about good communication within a team is that it allows co-workers to be open and honest with each other. Therefore, it promotes trust amongst the different team members. If individuals working together don’t trust each other, it can have a huge impact on efficiency and overall happiness at work.
Trusting your co-workers means you know you can rely on them to get things done and to support you where necessary. Imagine a workplace without trust; the secrecy, the backstabbing, the isolation… It doesn’t bear thinking about!
Diverse set of skills
Successful teams are made up of individuals with a variety of skills. Think about it, imagine an entire team made up of sales types. Sure, they’d win a bunch of business but salespeople have a completely different skillset to, for instance, more analytical thinkers. That’s not to say that one member of a team is better than another. It simply means that a small pool of skills allows for weak spots and gaps in knowledge.
Building a team with a broad pool of skills and knowledge means that every base is covered. Together, you can tackle anything!
Shared goals
Of course, every worker within a company has their own duties and workload to be getting on with. However, is your team working to the same overall goal? If everyone has the same target, whether it’s a long-term or short-term achievement, it drives everyone to work together and make it happen.
That’s why the most effective teams are working towards common goals and they do it together. Every person is accountable and has responsibility for the team’s overall success. That means they’re more likely to work hard, help each other out and share ideas.
A strong leader
Behind any strong team is a strong leader. When it comes to teamwork, there’s no room for an ‘every man for himself’ approach! Without someone to take the helm, a team can soon descend into bedlam. Whether we’re talking about a manager or just someone assuming a leadership role within the team, it’s their responsibility to keep everything running smoothly.
Delegating tasks, motivating the team, maintaining organisation and offering support all fall within the remit of the leader. So, it’s clear to see how they are essential to a well-functioning team.
Fun
Ready for some more cheese? A team that plays together, succeeds together. (That’s the last one, we promise!) However, having fun together outside of the office on a regular basis is a sure-fire way to get team spirit flowing. It allows everyone to get to know each other on a personal basis and bond together. Considering you’ll spend so much time working together, having fun together, either socialising or team building, will bring you all much closer.
Final thoughts
These are just some of the things that create a successful team. Bringing them all together will help your team to be stronger, more efficient and enjoy being at work.
