The Importance of Teamwork and How to Build That Collective Spirit

As the old saying goes: teamwork makes the dream work. And as with all clichés, there’s an element of truth to it. As a leader, you’re only as good as the team you work with, and how they operate is often a reflection of you as a boss.

A harmonious environment can increase productivity, and those things can only be achieved if everybody works together, pulling in the same direction. Here we’ll look at why teamwork is so important, the advantages it brings, and a few ways you can help to foster that spirit among your employees.

Why does teamwork matter?

Teamwork can often produce far more spectacular results. To use a sporting analogy, arguably the greatest ever World Cup goal was scored by Brazil’s Carlos Alberto in 1970 final. It was a flowing team move, where everyone played a part, and purists will always hold that effort above any piece of individual skill.

To be a success, you need everyone to be working towards a common goal. That might mean some members of the team taking on extra responsibility or tasks that they may not relish. But that level of compromise is something that everyone should be encouraged to accept.

What are the benefits of teamwork?

• It helps to build morale. A recent YouGov survey found that 16% of respondents either disliked or actively hated their jobs, but working within a happy, harmonious team can help to address that.
• Being part of a team also provides employees with a strong support network to lean on. From assistance with hitting a deadline to helping with personal matters, it’s good to know that your colleagues have got your back.
• Operating as a collective means there will always be a variety of new ideas brought to the table. This can really help a business to thrive, while a team is more likely to come up with solutions to problems than an individual working on their own.

How can you create a strong team environment?

There are many team-building activities you can try to help your staff become more familiar with each other. Some people shy away from the idea of ‘forced fun’, but once they get stuck in you’ll soon see that hesitancy disappear.

You can organize social events and give plenty of notice by putting posters up around the workplace, but it doesn’t have to be anything difficult to plan. A simple quiz, a game of Pictionary, or a scavenger hunt can help your team get to know each other as well as become accustomed to working together.