LOOK THE BENEFITS IT
CAN HAVE FOR YOU:-
Teamwork is often a crucial
part of a business, as it is often necessary for colleagues to work well together, trying their best in
any circumstance. Teamwork means
that people will try to cooperate, using their individual skills and providing
constructive feedback, despite any personal conflict between individuals.
Teamwork is an
activity that many people try to avoid in the workplace, but why are we so
against it? I’m here to tell you that there are a number of benefits of working
in teams for both you personally and for your organisation. Not only is it a
great opportunity for professional development, it is also a means of making
your work easier. Read below to learn why teamwork is important in the
workplace, and the benefits it can have for you.
A learning experience
As mentioned above,
teamwork is important in the workplace as it brings people together from
different backgrounds and levels of experience. Consequently, projects which
involve teamwork serve also as an opportunity for professional development and
learning. This may be conscious learning during a meeting, or learning which
occurs without you even realising whilst listing to others. It is quite
possible that you can learn from someone else’s knowledge which allows your own
skills and capabilities to grow. Billie Nordmeyer adds
that ‘Individual team members serve as educational resources to other employees
in a team environment’. It is also important to note that as employees become
more knowledgeable, their confidence increases. This can help improve their
attitude as well as increase their job satisfaction which is a win-win
situation for employers.
Enhanced communication
Communication is key to the success of
many projects – so why not engage in an activity that can help enhance your
communication skills? Teamwork activities such as meeting together to discuss
ideas or collaborating information to contribute to a project require both
verbal and written communication skills. Working regularly in this capacity
will allow you develop both your own skills as well as those who are in your
team. Teamwork also facilitates an open discussion which allows each team member
to be adequately informed about the project. In this respect, when everyone is
on the same page this ensures that the project is completed as efficiently as
possible.
Increased efficiency
When working in a team, you are working
towards a common goal or set of objectives. The whole process of your work
becomes more efficient, for example if there is a problem faced along the way
there are more ‘hands on deck’ to help solve the issue. Similarly, having
multiple team members on board allows you to get the work done faster with
shared responsibilities. From a management perspective, encouraging teamwork in
the workplace will allow your company or department to take on additional work,
and in turn generate extra revenue without having to hire more staff.
Idea generation
One of the greatest benefits of working
in a team is the inspiration and ideas that can result from team discussions.
When running ideas by one and other, there is a lot more scope for creativity
in comparison to working on a project alone. In an effective team environment,
staff members feel confident in suggesting their ideas. When working
autonomously and having a direct responsibility for ideas, people tend to
present the safer option to their managers. However, when in a team
brainstorming environment the notion of suggesting creative and unique ideas is
welcomed. Teams also bring people together from different backgrounds and
levels of experience which can help in creating optimal solutions.
Share the workload
When working in a team towards a common
goal, the workload is shared among all team members. In a perfect scenario,
this work should be shared equally and be distributed according to the
strengths of each member. Teamwork also allows for helping another team member
when you have finished your workload. It is important to remember that you are
all working towards the same goal – if you finish your work before others you
should offer your assistance in order to help complete the project. From a
management perspective, when it comes to delegation this should be conducted with
the strengths of your employees in mind. Assigning tasks to the correct people
will ensure maximum efficiency and a high quality output.
Support network
It is important to remember that
support and a sense of belonging in a workplace can contribute greatly to job
satisfaction. A strong team environment can act as a great support mechanism
for staff members. Group members will help each other, rely on each other and
build trust within the group. During challenging times, support is crucial for
the success of the project; when members are able to look to one and other for
guidance or support, focus can remain on the overall goal. If a challenge is
handled individually you are at risk of becoming overwhelmed and making
irrational decisions.
What do you think?
Do you believe that teamwork is
important in the workplace? Alternatively, do you have any examples that you
can share where teamwork either helped or hindered your efforts? I am
interested to hear of your experiences. Please feel free to comment your opinion
below and join in the discussion.
By Lusako Mwakiluma
Motivational & Inspirational Speaker
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