While teamwork dynamics have never been simple or easy, it’s become even more complex in recent years. Global and virtual teams are on the rise, making it necessary to better understand yourself, how you get along with others, and how to work best as part of a team.
Whether you’re a team member trying to make it work with less-than-helpful team members or you’re a team leader charged with building a strong team to work together effectively and efficiently, there are a few key things you should know about the secrets of all great teams.
Clarity, Direction, and Purpose
For teams to meet goals and produce amazing results, members must have a solid understanding of team objectives and their role in achieving them.
It’s not enough to simply know what a goal is because different things hold different meanings to different people. Individuals must know exactly what is expected of them and what success for the team looks like.
Members should feel challenged but not so much that they’re discouraged, and they should care about the outcome.
Firm Foundation
Effective teams require a balance of skills and expertise along with a diversity of backgrounds and perspectives.
Members should be of various ages, races, cultures, and genders for ultimate creativity, and there should only be as many members as absolutely needed to ensure good communication and accountability.
Group norms and expectations should be spelled out clearly.
Resources and Support
Effective teams require access to the information, resources, and training they need to get the job done efficiently. After all, teams can’t perform without the right tools in place.
Teams also need appropriate evaluations and feedback regularly, and that includes a reward system that motivates them to perform at their best.
Support between team members is another indicator of a successful team. Members who encourage each other, celebrate wins together, and navigate losses and setbacks together are much more likely to achieve their goals.
Similar Mindset
It’s true that diversity is a crucial element of high-performing teams and members should be of varying ages and backgrounds with varying levels of experience.
Similar mindset in this sense refers to being on the same page as far as the purpose of the teams work as well as knowledge and belief that every member is equally valued.
Check out Better Help for more great articles about collaboration efforts, obstacles faced by teams, and how to get the most out of teamwork at betterhelp.com.
Infographic Provided By in person team building activities Company, TeamBonding
Author:
Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health- related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with BetterHelp.com. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.