What’s the truth about teamwork? Well, for one, teamwork has become a benign, almost overused word in the workplace. The term is used repeatedly, but often with very little substance or merit behind it. It’s easy to say that “teamwork makes the dream work,” but it’s much harder to say what makes teamwork work!  The truth about teamwork is that people don’t innately know how to work well together—even if they want to be team players, they aren’t always equipped to do so.

A few weeks before the past school year ended, my then high-school-senior daughter was assigned a “team project” in one of her classes. Not only was working in teams required, but the teacher, not the students, selected the groups. While my daughter didn’t mind the project per se, the forced team aspect was highly upsetting to her. “If I have to work in a team, I at least want to pick my own team,” she complained. She believed, based on past experiences, that her grade might be jeopardized if others in the team did not pull their own weight. She quickly determined that to ensure success, she’d have to do all the work herself. While it’s hard to watch your kids suffering, I had to smile a bit at this one. Another truth about teamwork, of course, is that you don’t always get to pick your teams! Learning to work with a group of others—those of varying strengths, weaknesses, ideas, and opinions—isn’t easy, but it’s a real-world skill that can help you go far if you master it.

The truth about teamwork is that it’s easier said than done. Leaders often think it’s a simple matter—issuing directives like “work together and get it done!”  But for those in the mix, attempting to do just that, working together comes with so many unknowns that, like my daughter, most people would rather work twice as hard and just go it alone. Problems arise because direct reports don’t always trust their colleagues’ intentions, know others’ capabilities, or understand how to communicate and manage conflict with their peers. When you’ve been burned in the past by competitive, power hungry associates, it’s often hard to let your guard down and work side-by-side with others on important projects. But in corporate America as well as in small business, the ability to work well with others has never been so critical. The business arena has become so complicated that the expertise and workload required to be competitive and successful simply can’t be managed by a single person. Teamwork is a must! So while you may not like or understand how to work in teams, in order to WOW, you have to invest in honing the skills needed to be a team player.

Another truth about teamwork is that the balance of a group dynamic can easily be upset by either inside or outside forces. Perhaps a DUD leader drove a wedge between the teams or a member of the team with a DUD ambition sabotaged the work of others. There are many factors that can derail a seemingly well-functioning team. As a WOW leader, you need to keep a keen eye on any issues that may arise within the team—and communicate and deal with those issues before teamwork becomes impossible. Teamwork issues occur at all levels of the organization—and they can’t simply be left to chance. Leaders must realize that they can’t simply say, “work together” and then walk away in the same way people ask “how are you?” without waiting for a reply. The truth about teamwork is that it must be led, not demanded.

How to Lead Teamwork:           

• Create a safe place or process to express the issues that may be holding the team back, such as a one-on-one confidential survey prior to a meeting
• Reward open and honest feedback and encourage that dialogue to continue by acknowledging and praising the behavior. By recognizing and empathizing with your team’s issues, rather than condemning them for being forthcoming about any problems, you’ll get to the heart of your people and hence, the heart of what makes the group tick.
• Take personal accountability to make improvements, and encourage others in the team to do the same. Hold each individual to an equally high standard. Only when each individual holds themselves accountable for their own actions can the team as a whole succeed together.
• Teach positive conflict management. Relay an understanding that problems will inevitably arise—but that only by learning to handle those issues correctly can the team move forward. Communication is again the key—along with the mindset that when conflicts arise, the team must work on resolutions, not on retribution aimed at others.
• Consistently monitor the team to check in on their progress and reassure them that you are there to provide support, answer questions, and keep them on track.

As a leader, create a culture that’s conducive to a healthy team environment. Don’t just expect a perfect meeting of the minds from your staff, help lead the way to a better group dynamic. The truth about teamwork is that not everyone is receptive to the idea—but when it works well, it’s well worth the effort.

–Sheri Staak