Gooooooo Team! Need to understand what a team really is? It’s an interdependent group of employees who unite around a particular task, project or objective. A team is a way of organizing different people with different goals and plans into a cohesive whole. When a team is successful, it funnels the energy of team members for the overall good of the organization.
Find out more about what constitutes a great team with these 8 qualities:
They communicate well with each other
They communicate openly with each other, sharing their thoughts, opinions, and ideas with members of their team as well as taking into consideration what others have to say. Communication is essential for keeping track of progress and working together efficiently on tasks. Poor communication can lead to crossed wires, that can mean work is left incomplete/incorrect or conflicts can arise.
They focus on goals and results
They agree on and set team goals based on outcomes and results, rather than just on the amount of work being done. A clear plan can then be set about how they are going to achieve these objectives, as a group, as well as each individual’s contribution. This provides them with clear direction and gives them something to aim for collectively.
Everyone contributes their fair share
Each member of the team contributes their fair share of the workload and fully understand what their responsibilities are and where they fit in with the running of the business. They feel a sense of belonging to the team, are committed to their work and really care about the success of the company.
They offer each other support
Team members are always happy to assist others when they need a helping hand with work. Teams are often more productive when they are also offered support from the organization and access to the required resources.
Team members are diverse
Everyone is unique and will be able to offer their own experiences and knowledge that others may not possess. Diversity is needed so that all of the required skills are covered by somebody in the team and each individual can be assigned a particular role on the basis of their strengths and skills. A variety of personalities, age groups, cultures, etc. can also bring creativity and a broad range of ideas to the table.
Good leadership
A strong team will usually have a leader that they trust and respect. This individual essentially works as the glue holding the team together and should be responsible for setting the pace, offers encouragement and motivation and keeps all members of the team updated.
They’re organized
Organization is essential for the smooth running of a business. Without it, the workplace can become chaotic and goals are unlikely to be achieved. Though each individual should be responsible for organizing their own workload, management should ensure that everything is running according to plan and each member of the team is getting their work completed efficiently. Holding regular meetings can help to make sure that everyone is on the same page and deadlines are being met.
They have fun
It shouldn’t be all work and no play! This can lead to burnout and lack of productivity, so it’s important to inject a bit of enjoyment into working life. Teams who work particularly well together enjoy each other’s company and get together outside of the office from time to time to socialize and have some fun! Building a positive relationship with your colleagues can make for a much more relaxed environment and reduce conflict.
Ideally, you should take the time to establish values, clarify roles and define expected behaviors at the beginning of the teaming process. However, if those steps were skipped and your team is not performing acceptably, it is incumbent upon you as the leader or manager to call a timeout and tackle these building blocks of high performance. We are here if you need some help.