Team Building in the Workplace

Posted September 27, 2013 & filed under Uncategorized

In the workplace, it is important to have a team that is trustworthy and communicates efficiently. Let’s face it- most people are content with their independent style of work, but more often than not it is helpful to have a strong team to fall back on for support. Also, it is essential for everyone to get along and have great communication with each other. Here are some useful tips to keep teams successful in the workplace.

Establish Goals. Establishing goals should be done in general, but goals in the workplace can go a long way. It is important to establish two different goals: individual and team goals. In a perfect situation, individual goals and team goals should intertwine and blend with each other. Keep in mind, both individual and team goals can be short-term or long-term.

Communicate. This is probably the most important tip. Communication can make situations less stressful. The main factor of communicating is keeping everyone updated on what is going on. Making sure that everyone contributes to projects, deadlines, assignments, and even just everyday meetings is important. Equally important, everyone should have a chance for his/her voice to be heard.

Have Structure. This is as simple as making a to-do list as a team, and making sure the tasks get completed. Also, clarifying deadlines with the team can help greatly. There is always that chance that someone is unaware of a due date. If there isn’t a deadline to be met, the team should come up with their own personal date- maybe an “estimated date of completion”. This will help get everyone working on the same schedule.

Work Together. This should go without saying, but it is a nice reminder. If it is a morning meeting, don’t just go to the meeting; Participate in the meeting. Increasing motivation among coworkers helps a lot. It doesn’t have to be money incentives or anything extreme, but possibly going to lunch together is an idea. If it is more convenient for the office, having smaller teams meet for updates and communication can be an option. Lastly, use conflicts and issues as an opportunity to grow as a team (and as a company).

Have Fun. As an individual, team, branch, or company is vital to have fun. Sharing some laughs or personal stories can ease the tension and make for a better working environment. Remember, a successful team environment can help any company.

By: Kaitlin Daniel