Employee Engagement

5 ways leaders can make teamwork everybody’s cup of tea

21 January 2016|

Updated on 6 March 2019

Bailing out on critical projects because of the requirement of having to work with others, should be discouraged at all costs.

While it is difficult to pin point why being a solo worker is bad, it can be safely said that assignments that demand team work must be cordially completed with the help of team members. Some people are openly accepting about the fact that they prefer working solo over working with a team.

Individualism has its own set of merits but having an open, productive relationship with ones colleagues is an important part of every job. That is especially true in the case of operations where group contribution is needed for the completion of projects example: advertising agencies and other media businesses. Ruth Mohinani Content Head at NBS says, "Team building and team work skills are quintessential for each and every employee because, at the end of the day, one usually works as a team and not independently. Teamwork not only helps generate better productivity and goal accomplishment, but also is the founding stone of any successful organisation's work culture."

Following are the 5 ways a team leader can teach his teammates to be team players:

Encourage camaraderie within team members by promoting communication: Having an affable working relationship with your colleagues will help the completion of group tasks easily. Helping team members get comfortable with each other with the help of frequent little team building exercises and recreational office activities will consequently help them work harmoniously during team projects.

Motivate based on individual strengths: No two people are alike, and a successful group project is akin to a tasty culinary preparation which requires blending in of several fine ingredients. Identify the strengths and weaknesses of your teammates to help with effective team building. Let them know how they can use their skills to make a valuable contribution in a group project.

Make them know that learning accelerates in a team: Team projects bring forth a lot of scope to learn new things. Ideas get exchanged and it is only a matter of individual mindset – as to if one is open to learning new things from others.

Appreciate display of positive attitude during team work: A positive attitude significantly impacts productivity. People who ooze negative vibes repel people. Having negative people in a team can be a downer whereas positive employees bring about the right attitude to get things done. Reward employees who exhibit a positive attitude towards teamwork so that others take notice and learn from them.

Do not hesitate to take a tough stand: If such employees refuse to dodge in spite of your efforts to get them involved and interested in team work, do not hesitate to cut them loose. Not doing so will affect the morale of other team members and doing so will set an example for them to not follow.

A leader must also be amicable not only with his/her team members but also with his/her other co-workers. A positive attitude is highly contagious and it promotes productivity. An employee too should personally make an effort to gel along with his team members keeping in mind that being aloof or hostile would not only affect important projects but will also hinder personal growth.

Author

Pooja Channe