A strong team is the foundation of a thriving company and a good team ethic can be held accountable for the success and smooth running of good performing business. If colleagues do not work connect or work well together then problems can begin to arise, such as missed deadlines, targets not reached and in some cases conflict in the workplace.
So what can teams do to ensure that they keep the organisation moving forward and maintain productivity? Here are a few qualities that a successful team possesses in our professional opinion.
1) Communication is key
A strong team communicate openly with each other, sharing their thoughts, opinions and suggestions with members of their team; while listening and taking into consideration what other team members have to say. Communication is necessary in order to keep track of progress and working together efficiently on team based projects. Lack of communication can result in misunderstanding often meaning that work is left incomplete or not completed to the desired standard.
2) Goal driven
A solid team will discuss and align team goals based on outcomes and results. A clear plan that road-map can then be identified and they can go about how they are going to achieve these objectives, as a group, as well as each individual member of the team adding their own contribution. This provides the team with clear direction and gives them something to aim for and work towards together.
3) Even share of workload
This one really goes without saying but on team based tasks, the workload should be divided evenly among the group. From observations that we have made, on a strong team each member of the team contributes their fair share of the workload and full understand what their responsibilities are and where they fit in with the running of the business. Once there is a level balance of the work-load established and employees are appreciated for their input then they start to feel a sense of belonging to the team. They will be committed to their work and really care about the success of the company and this will be evident in the results.
4) Offer team members support
In our experience team members are generally more than happy to assist others when they need a helping hand with work. Team are generally more productive when they are offered extra support from the organisation and have access to the necessary resources. Empower your team members, practice optimism and inspire other members of the team.
5) Team diversity
Every individual is unique and will be able to offer their own experiences and knowledge to team based tasks that others may not possess. Diversity is one of the most amazing elements of the Irish workforce today. There is a highly skilled diver workforce currently taking over the Irish market. Diversity is needed so that all of the required skills are covered by somebody in the team and each individual team member can be assigned a particular task or role on the basis of their strengths and personal skills. A variety of personalities, age groups, cultures, etc. can also contribute positively to team based tasks enhancing creativity and also brings a broad range of ideas and new suggestions to the table.
6) Leadership
A well developed team usually have a leader that they trust and also respect. This individual essentially operates as the glue of the group holding each member of the team together and is generally held accountable for setting the pace of the group as a whole. The team leader is at the the forefront of the team and carries the most responsibility while offering encouragement, motivation, offers advice as well as keeping all of the team members up to date.
7) Organisation
Organisation is crucial component for any team based task. If members are not organised then there is clear approach to achieving the desired goal. A workplace without organisation can become a chaotic environment. Of course, in the professional world each individual should be held accountable for their own level of organisation, however management should be present to oversee that everything is running as planned and each member of the team is getting their work completed effectively. This can be done by holding regular meetings to make sure that everyone is on the same page and that individuals are working towards meeting their targets.
8) Have fun
It should never have to be all work and no play. This can result in exhaustion and burn out which will result in poor productivity. It’s important to inject some fun in to the working environment from time to time. Teams that work particularly well together enjoy each others company and make an effort to get together outside of the office every now and again to socialise. Building positive relationships with your colleagues can make for a much more relaxed environment and will reduce conflict in the workplace.