Why Your Team Isn’t Working Together and How to Fix It

Every organization talks about the importance of teamwork and collaboration. It’s a buzzword that pops up in almost every meeting. But, from my experience, most organizations don’t actually create an environment where collaboration is truly welcomed, or supported. Instead, many teams are left on their own, figuring out how to work together without the tools, structure, or guidance they need.

So, are you really fostering collaboration, or is your team just pretending?

In this article, I’ll dive into some of the most common misconceptions about collaboration, share what teams really need to work together effectively, and explain how leaders can play a key role in creating a collaborative culture.?

What Collaboration Is and What It Is Not

Let’s start by looking at some common misconceptions about collaboration that may be holding your team back. Clearing these up is the first step toward creating a collaborative environment.

• Collaboration Is Not Consensus: A common misconception is that collaboration means getting everyone to agree on every point. In my experience, this is so unrealistic. Trying to reach consensus can slow down progress and stifle innovation. True collaboration embraces differing viewpoints, leveraging conflict to create better outcomes. It’s about moving forward together, even when not everyone is perfectly aligned.
• Collaboration Is Not Just Communication: Communication and collaboration are not the same thing. Communication involves sharing information, but collaboration means actively working together to create something greater than what individuals could achieve alone. Simply talking more doesn’t equate to collaborating better.?
• Collaboration Is Not Dividing and Conquering: Many teams fall into the trap of “dividing and conquering” by assigning tasks to individuals and then regrouping later. But this isn’t collaboration, that's just coordination. True collaboration involves working together in real time, blending strengths, and solving problems as a team, rather than in isolation.

What Teams Need to Successfully Collaborate

Now that we’ve cleared up what collaboration isn’t, let’s talk about what it takes to build a truly collaborative team. Collaboration doesn’t just happen by accident. In my experience, teams need direction to truly collaborate. As a project leader, I've learned that creating those conditions is one of my most important roles.

1. Clear Goals and Shared Purpose

If your team doesn’t know what they're working toward, collaboration won’t happen. I’ve found that when everyone understands the common goal and why it matters, the team naturally pulls in the same direction. Without that shared purpose, people might feel lost, and collaboration turns into confusion.

I make it a point to set clear, actionable goals and continuously remind the team of the bigger picture. This helps everyone see how their individual efforts contribute to our overall mission. As a leader, you have to provide that clarity, define what success looks like, and inspire people to rally around it.

2. Trust and Psychological Safety

Collaboration can’t thrive without trust. If people don’t feel safe sharing ideas or disagreeing with each other, they’ll hold back, and that’s a recipe for a quiet, unproductive team. I’ve seen firsthand how creating a safe environment allows teams to open up, share their best ideas, and even fail without fear.

I show vulnerability by being open about my own mistakes and by encouraging feedback. I’ve learned that when leaders are approachable and transparent, it sends a strong message that it’s safe to take risks. If the team trusts that I won’t penalize them for speaking up, they’ll be more willing to contribute to meaningful collaboration.

3. Diverse Perspectives and Skills

The best ideas come from different perspectives. I’ve watched diverse teams come up with solutions that a more like-minded group would have never considered (outside the box). When people from various backgrounds or with different skill sets work together, the results are more innovative.

As a project leader, I often work with people with different skills and experiences. But that’s not enough on its own. I make sure everyone’s voice is heard by fostering an inclusive space where no one is afraid to speak up. It’s my job to encourage those unique perspectives and prevent strong personalities in the group from stalling our progress.

4. The Right Tools and Processes

While collaboration is about people, I’ve learned that the right tools make it easier. Teams need efficient ways to share ideas, give feedback, and work together in real time. Without good tools and clear processes, even the most talented teams can struggle to collaborate effectively.

I make sure my team has access to a variety of collaboration tools: project management software, messaging platforms, and video conferencing. But I also know that tools alone aren’t enough. I work to create clear processes for how we’ll collaborate and set the example by communicating consistently and openly.

Leadership: The Key to Fixing Collaboration

At the heart of any successful collaboration is effective leadership. If your team isn’t working together, the solution starts with you. As I discussed in my previous article, "Are You Making Leadership Mistakes That AI Can’t Fix?" , certain leadership mistakes, like failing to foster collaboration, cannot be solved with technology alone. It requires human effort.

Leaders who don’t actively promote collaboration risk creating silos, where individuals or departments work in isolation. These silos can kill innovation and hinder productivity, as teams miss out on the creative synergy that comes from working together.

It’s the leader’s responsibility to break down these silos by encouraging cross-departmental communication and aligning everyone around shared goals. Leading by example is key! When leaders model collaborative behavior, they set the tone for the entire organization. By creating an environment where collaboration is expected and supported, leaders can fix what’s broken and cultivate a team that drives results.

Wrapping Up

If your team isn’t working together, now is the time to step back and ask the hard questions. Are you setting clear goals? Are you building trust and psychological safety? Are you empowering your team, or are you standing in the way of true collaboration? As leaders, we can’t simply encourage teamwork and walk away. We must be the ones who create an environment where collaboration isn’t just a buzzword but a daily practice. The success of your team depends on it.

Ready to turn your team into a truly collaborative force? Stay tuned for the next article, "Communication: The Mistake You’re Making Without Even Realizing It," where we’ll dive into how talking more than listening could be holding your team back.

Don't forget to check out our previous articles.

• The MisUsed Project Managers: Stop Undervaluing Their Leadership

• Fractional Project Management: The Good, the Bad, and the Business Impact

• Stay Sharp: Learning Tactics for Leaders

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