Teamwork Is Essential In The Workplace

Those of us that work with others know and understand that teamwork is an essential part of workplace success. Like a football team working together to setup a perfect play, every team member has a specific role to play in accomplishing tasks to any job. Similar to team sports, employers look for people who not only know how to work well with others, but also look for those who understand that not every player on the team can or will be the one who gets the ball. When everyone in the workplace works together to accomplish goals, everyone achieves more.

“Individual commitment to a group effort – that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.”

Vince Lombardi (football coach)

Teamwork involves building relationships and working with other people using a number of important skills and habits:

• Working cooperatively
• Contributing to groups with ideas, suggestions and effort
• Communication
• Sense of ownership and responsibility
• Respect for differences in opinions, customs and individual preferences
• Ability to participate in group decision-making

When employees work together to accomplish a goal, everyone benefits. Employers might expect to see this in action in different ways. For example, team members in the workplace plan ahead and work collaboratively to assign tasks, assess progress, and deliver on time. They have professional discussions during which differing approaches and opinions might be shared and assessed in a respectful manner. Even when certain employees end up with tasks that were not their first choices, jobs get done with limited complaints because it is in the spirit of teamwork and with the overall goal in mind. A leader or manager may often serve as the facilitator. In cases like this, team members participate respectfully in discussions to carry out assigned tasks and will defer to the facilitator when necessary.

Consensus is wonderful, but not always possible, and an assigned leader will often support and facilitate the decision-making necessary for quality teamwork to exist. Regardless of the size of your team, if everyone embraces teamwork and commits to the success of the team with a belief that your own success is tied to the advancement of the group goals, overall improving organizational results.