There are always jobs available that focus on individualism and self-achievement, but these jobs aren’t the norm within most industries. The ability to work together is a necessary trait that employees must have to ensure success for themselves and the company that they work for. It is the manager or owner’s job to ensure that employees are working effectively and efficiently as a team, and when this isn’t occurring, then the manager has no one to blame but themselves. There are of course certain people who refuse to work as a team, and those people should probably not be with the company. There are a few ways, however, that a manager can promote teamwork even amongst the most stubborn workers.
1. Make everyone feel Important
Most managers know that giving an employee direct responsibilities and making them accountable for a particular project’s success is a great way to motivate individual achievement. This, however, also works for teams. Every person on the team should be just as involved as every other member. This can be accomplished through providing all project information, deadlines, and goals to each individual team member. Make each of them feel as if the success of the project is dependent on them and every employee will give it their all.
2. Schedule Team Meetings and Activities
Setting up team meetings and team building exercises is very important in organizations that rely heavily on teamwork. These meetings can be held outside of the office, and can even include a trip out for dinner in which work isn’t discussed until after the meal is finished. There are also several activities that aren’t work related that can help build team unity. These activities can be fun and engaging, and in the end it will help foster an environment of working together to achieve a final goal.
3. Set Increasingly Difficult Goals
A team shouldn’t have to take on the biggest account at the company on the first day that they meet. It is imperative to provide each team with easily achievable goals for their first project. This allows them to feel each other out and develop a group dynamic. Each subsequent goal should be a little more difficult than the last. Great teams can develop out of this tiered type of project assignment.
4. Allow the Team to Solve Big Issues
Managers have an inherent desire to jump in and handle any big issue that arises. This can make a team feel as if they’ve been undercut and aren’t trusted to handle their own jobs. This can detrimentally deplete employee and team morale. If it is possible for a team to handle the issue on their own, then it is imperative to allow them to do so. It isn’t necessary to let a company collapse by not getting involved, but when the team members are capable of handling the issue and a little extra time won’t be detrimental to the organization, then it doesn’t hurt to let them spread their own wings.
A company will never be as successful as it could be if the employees within it do not know how to work as a team. Workers should understand that it is their job to ensure that a business succeeds, and if effectively working in a team is the only way to achieve that goal, then that is what they need to do, regardless of any solitary conditions that they’re used to working in. When a manager knows how to promote proper teamwork within their organization, he ensures that his endeavors will be a success.
