Both in the working world and when we are students we often have to take part in projects where effective teamwork is needed. This is where a task, project, or objective is achieved by combining the work of several people.
The good thing about working in a group is that the load of the task is distributed between several people and you have access to a wider range of results than if you had done the work by yourself. The downfall is that we do not always have the opportunity to choose who we work with within a group or not everyone is able to adapt to the way the team works. So, it is likely you will have to find a way around any issues because, at the end of the day, you probably have to deliver the task within a specified timeframe.
What does effective teamwork look like?
Working on a small or large project with a team can exhaust your energy reserves, your mental health or the very existence of the group itself. To avoid this from happening, we have outlined four key tips that you – and others – should put into practice from day one, to increase the chances of the group’s success. If, at the end of this article you still aren’t sure how to achieve effective teamwork, or if you forget any of the contents, remember you can always turn to a professional’s advice.
4 factors needed for effective teamwork
1. Skillful communication
Again, the happy word: assertiveness. We keep repeating this word to you because assertiveness is, among other things, a style of communication that is efficient, skillful, respectful, and constructive.
In other words, you can ensure the team is in a good state of mind right until the day you need to deliver the task. Unsurprisingly, remember that a group whose members are more focused on arguing and disagreeing with each other instead of collaborating for the greater good and shared objectives is a group that moves away from the success and well-being of its members and moves towards a bad result or, at least, a wake-up call.
We call this “pulling it together” for the greater good. Make it clear: we will not be able to achieve our objective and deliver the project by the deadline if there isn’t any effective teamwork if we impose our will if we go against other opinions every five minutes instead of finding solutions.
2. Good organization
When the group is formed, dedicate a good amount of time on the first day to designing the project and distributing the tasks equally. Focus on the work objectives as well as the level of detail that you need to achieve (not what you want to achieve). This way, you will not fail.
Try to contain the excessive ambitions of any members of the group who are perfectionists. Assess the objectives of the work. If the project commissioned does not need to be a doctoral thesis to win the Nobel Prize, do not tire yourself trying to do something overly extensive or perfect when you do not have the time nor your colleagues’ collaboration.
Ensure that you are all aware of the deadline. Plan a second meeting for a few days later, or a few days before the deadline. Therefore you will make sure you finish everything on time and you will have room for flexibility in case you find any gaps or errors.
Use video or instant messaging, but dedicate them to the task in hand: you can talk about other issues during social activities. If you use the communication channels to focus on the group’s work rather than other topics, you will create a sense of effective teamwork and lower saturation.
Remember! Good organization also includes caring for each other. Try not to burn out, and save your energy. Don’t burn others either: you may need to work with them again in the future. If you haven’t liked working with them, do your best not to work with them again, but just in case, don’t end relationships on bad terms; you may need to call on their help in the future.
3. Patience when working in a group
It is clear that it takes time to work with others; no one said that living with and adapting to others was easy. Darwin made it very clear: adapt or disappear. The task has to be done no matter what, regardless of how well you work together.
Not everyone is like you, nor are you like everyone else. Whenever others do not accommodate easily, try to respect their pace, and remember that your way of doing things is not the only way. When you get overwhelmed, remember that there is a clear deadline and everyone is aware of it. With some exceptions, these dates are usually realistic if there is a good organization. Collaborate, be flexible, and use the channels of communication well to avoid saturating the group.
4. Collaboration
Every group has its leader but also has its antagonist. The leaders are usually highly valued because they contribute enormously to the success of the work, but no one wants the antagonists because they delay the group and do not do what has been agreed upon. Therefore, it is important that, if you are not one of those people who will lead their team towards success and efficient teamwork, make sure you do not prevent it by continually putting obstacles in place.
This is basic but it’s good to remember since the most obvious things tend to be the first to be forgotten. Do your part, try to attend the meetings that you organize. Don’t be sloppy, and offer to help others with their tasks if you see they are struggling. Doing this is also leading and, if you all have this attitude, even if it’s in spurts, you’ll finish sooner, be less tired, and even deliver a higher standard of work.
How can ifeel help you achieve effective teamwork?
Ifeel has designed an emotional well-being program for companies that can help HR managers with this responsibility.
On the one hand, it offers employees a professionalized mental health care service at different levels, depending on the extent of involvement they wish to have at any given time. Employees can use artificial intelligence to trace their well-being through ifeel‘s app, receive periodic emotional support from a certified psychologist, or undergo online therapy with a professional specializing in the matter in question.
Secondly, ifeel‘s emotional well-being program allows HR managers to receive continuous and personalized advice on the different factors that have an impact on their company’s working environment and how to help their employees achieve effective teamwork. Taking care of these aspects is fundamental for a company’s overall success.
Get in touch today and request more information on how we can help your company by helping your employees.
