How to Instill Teamwork in The Workplace

Building an effective team is a key to creating a high-performance organization.

In today's business world, even the smallest start-ups and family-run businesses use teamwork to get the job done. Whether it is a team of senior executives working to institute a major culture change, or a work group designing a new project, developing a strong sense of teamwork and a combined commitment to the task at hand is a key to success. However, despite the importance of high-performing teams, many managers struggle when it comes to instilling a sense of teamwork. It is possible, though, to get even a highly diverse group of personalities to work well together.

Instructions

1. Include all team members in the hiring process for new employees. After screening applicants, schedule an interview in which the existing team members meet the potential new employee and ask questions. The existing team can then discuss the applicants and provide input into the candidate that they feel will best complete the team.

2. Create team-based goals, and reward all members of the team for achieving those goals. For example, establish a sales bonus program in which all members of the team receive a bonus for hitting the monthly or annual target.

3. Schedule a team retreat off-site that includes team-building activities. Visit a local ropes course and have your team participate in challenges together to build trust and cooperation among the members.

4. Incorporate team problem solving into your staff meetings. Each week, have your staff members tell the rest of the team about a project or issue they are stuck on and ask for feedback and suggestions. Spend a few minutes brainstorming solutions together.

5. Hire a consultant to administer and interpret personality inventories on your employees; the Meyers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator or the Birkman Method are common personality tests. Encourage staff to discuss the results of their tests, and discover ways that they can work together more effectively.

6. Develop a protocol for project management that encourages staff to work together on projects. For example, when your department produces documents, establish a policy in which at least one or two other team members provides feedback on the content and format. With such a policy, everyone has a stake in the department's output.

7. Adjust your work area to accommodate conversation. An open office environment does not work in every field, but in sales or creative environments, removing the cubicles or office walls encourages conversation, idea-sharing and team brainstorming.

8. Discuss the team dynamic on a regular basis, and encourage open communication about what is working---and not working---within the team. This is not an opportunity for team members to publicly criticize and attack each other, but instead have an honest discussion about how they can work more effectively together. Ask team members to share positive achievements as well as potential improvements.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not use personality tests to make hiring or promotion decisions, and allow employees to opt out of taking the test or sharing their results.

References

• "Inc." magazine; Now That We're Not a Start-Up, How Do I Promote Teamwork?; Steve Solomon; Oct. 1998
• "Inc." magazine; Tag Teams; Oct. 1998
• HR People ;"Pods or Pits"? Office Design for Teamwork, Productivity, and Open Communication; Dan McCarthy; March 2009
• Personnel Today; How to Encourage Teamwork; Carole Gaskill; January 2007

Resources

• The Myers & Briggs Foundation: Take the MBTI Indicator
• The BIrkman Method