Collaboration is the Currency of Team Culture

A team is a powerful mechanism that allows people to work with others toward shared goals and objectives, bringing together the collective gifts and talents of every individual.

This endeavor regularly breaks down when people prefer working alone or in silos, failing to coordinate their efforts with anyone else. Some neglect taking on their fair share of the team’s responsibilities and withhold information and help from others on the team. Others undermine team decisions, choosing to ignore team norms and standards and may even view the team as an obstacle to getting things done.

All of these situations are roadblocks that stunt the growth of the team and limit it’s effectiveness.

I know in my own corporate career I felt threatened by others due to my lack of self esteem so I became a lone wolf who constantly challenged the status quo and created friction within the team.

Great teams are stacked with people who enjoy working cooperatively with others, drawing all members of the group into active and enthusiastic participation.

The first of the 4 pillars of teamwork is this thing we call collaboration

So how do we build this critical commodity? By investing in every individual and the team as a whole.

The first step is to facilitate the creation of a team identity, an esprit de corps, something bigger than any individual.

Agree to hold each other accountable for seeking out opportunities to work with others and taking a genuine interest in learning more about their work and how you can support them.

Encourage team members to keep others informed of their work, timelines and priorities.

Promote the sharing of equipment, materials, funds and resources with other team members and model giving public credit to other team members who have done well.

Solicit others’ points of view, particularly the quieter members of the team and avoid taking control of the agenda or being the first to make suggestions or dominating team meetings.

Conflict is inevitable, so bring it out into the open and encourage everyone to resolve it quickly and move on.

Treat co-workers with courtesy and respect and demonstrate the trust you have in fellow team members.

These are just a few suggestions to help you bring your team together and build a more positive and productive culture.

Give me a shout if you would like me to help you develop an action plan for you and your team.

Have a great week…you deserve it!

Cheers Grant