These seven tips will generate teamwork in any organization.
Success in any organization is based upon its employees and their ability to work together as a team. As much as any manager would love for this to happen organically, it takes a lot of work to get individuals at various levels with divergent personalities and skill sets all operating as a cohesive whole. Following these seven recommendations will help any organization generate true teamwork:
1. Create a "We" Culture
Team building starts at the top. If senior executives encourage an environment where the organization uses less "I" and more "we" in how they communicate, everyone will feel supported, included and important to the organization. When counseling clients, use terms like "we believe..." or "our recommendations include...." This eliminates an employee's fear of standing alone and shows that the entire organization is thinking about the client.
2. Clearly Define Roles and Personal Growth Plans
When individuals know what their role and responsibilities are, there is far less competitiveness in an organization. It allows employees to come together as a team in an enriching environment where everyone can contribute creatively and strategically. In addition, when employees understand what expectations exist for them to rise to the next level they are more apt to be a good team player, because they understand that they are really competing with themselves, and not their colleagues, for success.
3. Recognize Success, Regardless of Its Origin
The worst organizations are those that think good ideas or successful programs only come from senior-level individuals. Conversely, good organizations encourage creative thinking from all levels and give credit when a creative idea or solution comes from junior or mid-level employees. This is one of the most crucial components of developing a teamwork-based culture.
4. Educate, Train and Role Play
Teachable moments happen every day in every organization. If you want your organization to operate like a team, take advantage of opportunities to train and educate your employees in best practices. We do a lot of role playing and situational training to teach junior staff better ways to handle situations. When the culture is driven by "getting-better" in a non-competitive way, you breed teamwork.
5. Win and Lose as a Team
Accomplishments or failures should always be shared as a team. When there is a big account win, it is great to acknowledge all of the creativity, hard work, and commitment the entire team put into the win. Conversely, when the organization experiences failure of any nature, the worst situation is to fault any one person for that misstep. This is the quickest way to de-motivate an individual and it usually erodes confidence in an organization when others hear of it being handled this