It’s all about team work

It’s not just about team work in the working environment – you can take this home with you too…

Look, we all know that it’s not that hard to build a team, anyone can do that and anyone can recruit. The point is whether or not your team is effective and actually functions as a ‘team’, I’m sure you will agree, this is an entirely different matter all together. It is important to invest in your people and it’s a well known fact that teams just don’t work with out team work.

It’s all about working together.

The French have a great expression for this – ‘esprit de corps’ which basically means to have a sense of unity and to share an enthusiasm for a common goal within a group. Me, I think team work is crucial to all areas of life, not just in the work place but at home too, within our family and our friendships; it’s crucial and is the glue that keeps the wheel turning in everyday life. I’m not trying to be corny, I just realise that by working together to a common goal you’re more likely to succeed. The long and short of it is that team work is a bond which encourages communication and promotes strength and unity. Hell, I’d rather be working with someone than battling against the grain which is nothing short of exhausting whichever way you look at it. I think it’s about trying to use our different personality quirks and traits as a whole unit to take us forward.

So, what kind of team are you?

The working environment has changed considerably over the past few years.  We are seeing a lot more ‘virtual’ teams – people who hardly ever see each other and might not even work in the same office or the same country. Then there are those teams that sit together in an open plan office and chat with each other as and when things arise. Some teams do all their communicating via email and conference calls whilst others sit separately only meeting once a day or week. I think it’s important to identify what type of team you are and what you’re looking to achieve.

So, what do you need to achieve and what are the benefits?

There are advantages to being part of a well functioning, well oiled machine and real benefits to the company and relationships. I guess to start with it’s just nice to be part of a group of people who get on, no? But what is the end result, where are you striving to be? More importantly, what are the real payoffs? I’ve had a think and come up with these

• A feeling of identity and purpose
• Increased confidence
• A support network
• Definitive goals which unite and make sense
• Creative pooling of ideas
• A feeling that a team effort can be a smooth journey to the desired result
• You aren’t alone – synergy has been created
• Promotes a healthy sense of achievement and camaraderie

So there you have it, lots of things here to think about. Tomorrow I’m going to focus on what you can do to make it happen, what options are available and how it can be made fun – team building!