Collaboration, Cooperation
How to Improve Teamwork
Teamwork comes naturally to humans as a whole, but that doesn’t always mean it’s easy for individuals to work with others. Some people, particularly those who prefer to work on their own, may feel out of place in a group or get frustrated by common teamwork pitfalls. To maximize teamwork, it's important that all teammates share the same goals and are committed to an overall vision. Often it takes just one person not pulling their weight—or defying the group's goals—to derail the efforts of everyone else on the team.
Yes; some individuals are more inclined to teamwork than others, but those who don’t naturally excel at it can become more adept. Teaching teamwork skills usually entails improving communication, building emotional intelligence , and imparting specific strategies for collaborating successfully.
Research has found that certain qualities are consistent predictors of a strong team . These include good communication—including ensuring that every member is given a chance to speak—and a trait known as “social sensitivity,” or members’ ability to understand each others’ thoughts and feelings and respectfully engage in disagreements.
Giving team members clearly defined roles, creating regular accountability checks, designating time for feedback, and leading by example are all strategies used by effective teams. Though team-building interventions are often derided, research shows that some—particularly those that improve trust and communication—can improve team effectiveness.
How Communication Affects Teamwork
Communication is essential to ensure that a team runs optimally. It can also, however, be one of the most challenging aspects of working with other people—and even when other aspects of a team are functioning smoothly, ineffective communication can derail an entire project. Some skills that improve communication, like emotional intelligence , come more naturally to some than others; fortunately, most people can learn to become better communicators with practice.
On an ideal team, every member would be encouraged to share their ideas and updates on progress—even if the news is bad—and other members would do their best to listen, evaluate without judgment, and offer a thoughtful response. On the other hand, poor communication—a boss shooting down, or shouting down, ideas from subordinates, or one employee consistently speaking over others—disrupts general cohesion and can throw an otherwise productive team off their game.
Team members should share relevant information when they know it , rather than waiting for an ideal moment. Each member should be encouraged to ask clarifying questions when necessary. Appointing one team member as the “devil’s advocate” can help the group consider potential problems and reach a better solution.
Nonverbal communication—including gestures, facial expressions, and tone of voice—can help or hinder a team’s productivity . An individual who rolls her eyes at others’ ideas, for instance, can be problematic for the team’s morale. Conversely, team members who excel at reading nonverbal cues can better navigate the group dynamic and help identify unspoken issues.
Explore More About Teamwork
For a comprehensive understanding of teamwork, read our complete guide: