Teamwork for Greater Organisational Performance

It is a common knowledge that no organisation grows when team members work as individuals, and not as a team. Teamwork is built on 3 major factors:

1. There must be a compelling goal within the team
2. There must be common values or beliefs to bind the team together.
3. There must be clear communication and understanding of these goals and values

A team spirit is never accidental, rather, it is intentional.

Teamwork, therefore,  is the collaborative effort of a group to achieve a compelling goal in the most effective and efficient way. It means that people will cooperate by contributing their individual knowledge and skills, and providing feedback, despite any personal conflict between individuals in the team.

Attributes of a Team Player

1. Must be consistently reliable. Not sinusoidal.
2. Must have confidence and good communication skills. This is important for feedback to the team and team leader.
3. Must be flexible, and amenable to change. Flexibility is tantamount to humility. If you are not flexible, you are not malleable and can't fit into a team.
4. Must display genuine commitment to the team.
5. Where necessary, should do more than task assigned.
6. Must make himself/herself visible and available for the team.

Does your team members have these qualities?

The R.A.C.I Model for Effective Teamwork

R. Responsible: The responsible person(s) is(are) the individual(s) who were given and actually completed the task for the team.

A. Accountable: In a team, the accountable person is usually the team leader. He or she is the job or the process owner. This individual has the 'yes' or 'no' authority or the veto power in the team. He or she is answerable for the team.

C. Consulted: This defines who is to be consulted for additional insight or expert views with respect to the task at hand. He or she may be within or without the team.

I. Informed: Is a feedback mechanism. Who is to be informed or aware of the progress of the task, challenges faced while carrying out the task, and the final outcome of the task? Feedback must be on time and in full (OTIF). Delayed feedback is no feedback.

When a team is set up with RACI well defined, the assignment is as good as finished. RACI can be incorporated, even, into a daily routine procedure. 

Importance of Teamwork in any Organisation

The following are some of the key benefits of teamwork:

1. It promotes unity in the workplace
2. It offers opportunity for different views and perspectives on a task. Though, this must be well managed to avoid too slow decision making.
3. It improves participation and productivity
4. It promotes workplace synergy and bonding
5. It provides great learning opportunities. Team members learn from one another in the team.

How to Build Effective Teams in your Organisation

I will use TEAMWORK as an acronym.

1. T. Trust: Trust binds people together. How to create trust within the team.

a. The team leader must be consistent in deeds and words.

b. In most cases, team leaders expect loyalty from the team members, but loyalty should be a two way traffic. Team leaders must also be seen to be loyal to their members.

c. One of the ways to show trust, is to delegate responsibilities to team members. Members feel trusted when this is the order of the day.

2.        E. Energy saver: The team leader should know the potentials and energy levels of the team members. He or she is the energy saver for the team. Allow your team to work at different energy levels on different days or even on same day. Every day is not the same. Help them manage stress. Don't over burden the team or a particular person in the team.

3.       A. Affirmations: Say words of encouragement to team members. It should not be a blame game affair. Words like 'thank you' could do a lot of magic to revive the soul. As a leader, value the ideas of your team members, even though you are not going to use it.

4.       M. Manage Mistakes: Don't be quick to publicise peoples mistakes. Mistakes are not failures. Its only teaches us what doesn't work. The mistake of the team, is the mistake of the leader as well. Remember, the team leader is accountable for the team.

5.      W. Weekly Meetings: This could vary depending on the assignment of the team and activities involved. It could bi-monthly or monthly meetings. Meetings are for reviews and to agree on ways forward.

6.      O. Open Communication:  An effective team is one where people are free to express themselves and their challenges. The team leader should create this ambience. Avoid assumptions and pride, these are hinderances to communication.

7.      R. Reward and Recognition: Endeavour to celebrate the performance and contributions of team members. Nothing is more inspiring.

8.      K. Knowledge.  Leaders are learners. The moment you stop learning, you stop being a leader. Also, encourage your team members to keep growing in knowledge and skills. Competence is a sum total of education, experience and exposure.