Whether you’re a new or seasoned leader, or someone who started a business as a one-person sole trader and worked your way up the ranks, as any business or project grows, so does the importance of highly functioning teams.

We all know that teamwork makes the dream work but understanding the science behind how individuals work together can ultimately define the success of any project or business today and into the future.

WHY DOES TEAMWORK MATTER?

With the pandemic well and truly changing the way businesses operate, a remote working culture has often led to fractured teams, a lack of connection and disjointed working practices. Therefore, building and maintaining inclusive, collaborative and trusting teams is more important than ever.

IS YOUR TEAM ISOLATED (SILOED)?

A common sign of dysfunction within a team is isolated individuals who operate in silos. This single focus should sound warning bells for all team leaders and business owners.

More than just an inconvenience or an unpleasant working environment, isolated teams are made up of individuals working towards their own goals. This isolation is often the catalyst for workplace issues that can potentially jeopardise the success of a project. Or, worse, the future of a business.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN TEAM MEMBERS DON’T WORK TOGETHER?

When team members are isolated or fail to work in synergy, the separation can lead to the following pitfalls for a project or business:

• Customer service standards fall
• A blame culture can originate
• Output and efficiency are impacted
• Relationships with key stakeholders are impacted
• Individuals work for sole gain and not the growth of the bigger picture
• Results are short term

Now more than ever, regardless of location or responsibilities, individuals must come together to achieve the best outcomes for the business or project. And not just today, but long into the future.

WHAT CAN WE DO TO CONNECT AN ISOLATED TEAM?

Regardless of the project or service a business provides, no individual has the complete skill set required to help a business grow. Individuals working effectively together is therefore critical.

In reality, three common problems stop a team from performing at its best:

1. LEADERS DON’T HAVE THE PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE TO LEAD

Leadership skills aren’t instinctive. Internal promotions combined with fluidity within a role can often mean a team leader is not well equipped to get the most from individuals.

If a leader hasn’t been taught how to build trust, deal with conflict and manage discipline or motivation, the lack of practical skills will naturally contribute to a decline in team performance. The leader will need specific leadership training to help create a united vision.

2. LACK OF TRUST

A trusting environment where team members feel safe to admit mistakes or ask for help is essential. Trust is a key ingredient. Without it, team members will hide mistakes, avoid sharing ideas that help others succeed and fake success. As a team leader, pay attention to how your team members react to constructive feedback or criticism from yourself or fellow team members. If they get defensive, your team lacks trust.

3. ARTIFICIAL HARMONY

Artificial harmony occurs when individuals who work together agree outwardly to avoid conflict even though they don’t necessarily support decisions.

While artificial harmony can make a more pleasant working environment on the surface, it can also lead to a lack of trust and put all team members in defence mode. Energy is then spent protecting oneself rather than working towards shared objectives.

If you lead a team and any of these issues are present, the individuals in your team might have all the skills necessary to get the job done, but they’re unlikely to reach key milestones.

You can clearly see if a team helps projects succeed or a business grow by identifying whether short and long-term goals are consistently achieved and if a positive culture exists.

LEADERSHIP STYLES

Ineffective teamwork can harm productivity and stunt the growth of the business. Fortunately, it is possible to turn a team around by identifying the leadership style of the manager.

MULTIPLIERS AND DIMINISHERS

A leader will often fall into one of two categories based on their view of their personal intelligence.

While multipliers acknowledge intelligence in all team members, diminishers assume they’re the only individual with the intelligence required to solve problems and achieve goals.

Multipliers will always get the best results. They encourage every member of the team to reach and extend far beyond their potential. On the other hand, diminishers stunt personal and professional growth so that employees will rarely work to their full capacity.

Three core actions can help any leader increase the efficiencies within a team.

• Building trust
• Providing clarity around goals
• Identifying and encouraging the behaviours required for individuals to work well together and achieve goals

BUILD TRUST

There are many ways to encourage the feeling of trust between individuals and teams. Firstly, acknowledge that trust is a feeling and cannot be commanded or forced and building a circle of safety is vital for team performance. Next, help individuals get to know each other by facilitating team lunches, social catchups, one-on-one meetings and informal team meetings. As a team leader, provide support to your team and apply empathy. Make your team part of the decision-making process and avoid a micromanaging leadership style at all costs.

DEFINE THE COMMON GOAL

Every team member should play a part in defining a shared vision that they believe in.

Individuals should connect with the vision and understand how it benefits both the project and the organisation.

Short and long-term tasks should then be identified. All team members should contribute and have the capacity to monitor progress and create accountability.

Giving and receiving feedback, communicating and allowing every individual to be a part of the decision-making process will foster respect and motivation, both essential for a healthy business.

DEFINE APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOURS

Ask team members to list behaviours that will help lead to better teamwork as a behaviour guide. Open communication about positive and undesirable behaviours will bring an awareness of how to act appropriately within the team.

Creating a healthy team takes time and consistency but it is possible to turn a group of siloed individuals into a highly functioning team by understanding the science behind teamwork.

To foster your skills in leadership and teamwork, browse our course online or contact us today to discuss face to face training options.