Teamwork makes the dream work, is a motivational saying we are all too familiar with. The phrase highlights the importance of collective efforts in achieving success, which applies to different aspects of human lives, including business.
As a business owner, having highly skilled and capable employees is usually insufficient. Your workers should also be able to work well in a team, as organizational success depends on individual and collective efforts. However, building a cohesive and skilled team doesn’t happen by accident, as upper management needs to put in some work.
Challenges to overcome when building a team include diverse personalities, managing conflicts, and getting all team members to work towards a common goal. A thoughtful and strategic approach can overcome these challenges and create a more effective and resilient team.
The first step to take when building a team is to define the purpose of your team-building efforts. It could be to increase productivity, resolve conflicts, foster a sense of belonging and engagement, or all of the above. With the purpose defined, the next step is to engage in selected team-building activities such as team sports, outdoor adventure activities, problem-solving scenarios, community service, office scavenger hunts, and so on.
Celebrating achievements and implementing formal recognition programs such as Employee of the Month/Quarter/Year, Innovation Award, Leadership Award, etc, are structured ways to recognize outstanding team members and reinforce a positive and supportive team culture. Plaques, trophies, bonuses, etc., are popular employee rewards.
How do you know when your enterprise could benefit from team-building activities? Continue reading to find out.
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Isolation or Cliques
It’s not unusual for employees to form clumps at work. After all, it’s human nature for people with shared interests or backgrounds to connect based on these commonalities. However, a problem arises when clumps become cliques, as it usually indicates an underlying issue.
When you see employees breaking into groups and isolating themselves from others for secret discussions, it’s usually because some employees feel excluded, undervalued, or hesitant to approach the perceived major cliques due to fear of rejection. And if you don’t take action, morale and productivity may plummet. Team cohesion also reduces, and the workplace may become toxic.
To break down barriers caused by cliques and promote diversity and inclusion within the team, organize team-building activities, and encourage participation from all team members. Whenever possible, rotate team members between projects to ensure interaction among all members.
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Increased Conflicts
Conflict is a fundamental part of human relationships that may arise in the workplace due to personality clashes, differences in opinions, communication breakdowns, and lack of trust. However, if conflicts are becoming more frequent or intense within the team, there is a need to investigate the underlying cause.
It’s worth mentioning that conflicts affect collaboration between teams and reduce productivity. Excessive conflicts may lead to higher turnover rates, and you know how expensive it can be to replace employees.
Team building activities are an excellent way to resolve conflicts between teams and help employees see each other as part of the same team. Employees also understand each other’s perspectives better and develop stronger relationships.
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Tense Office Politics
While office politics are a regular aspect of workplace dynamics, the onus is on leaders to set examples and exhibit behaviors that discourage unethical political behaviors. Office politics should not be energy-draining or become a source of significant tension, as it will be challenging to get any work done in these scenarios.
So, if you notice office politics getting out of hand, it’s time to amp up your team-building efforts. Try to include communication-focused activities as they enhance interpersonal relationships and help reduce misunderstandings from office politics. Team building activities are also crucial to creating a positive workplace culture that can help counteract the adverse effects of office politics.
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When the Team is Under Pressure
Pressure can’t be entirely avoided in the workplace. Sometimes, everyone has to hustle and race against time for a big project or tight deadline. It could also be that the company is experiencing a ‘peak business season.
High-pressure situations can affect team dynamics due to heavy physical and mental strain on team members. And employees need opportunities to unwind if they are to remain productive.
Providing breaks and offering team members the chance to relax can help maintain unity during high-pressure situations. Leaders should also keep open lines of communication and ensure employees have all they need to perform their tasks.
Final Thoughts
Ideally, you should start working on team building before there’s an urgent need. A proactive team-building approach will create a cohesive and resilient team while minimizing potential issues.
As an entrepreneur, your ultimate goal is to succeed, and you need your team for that. After all, teamwork makes the dream work.
