Working with others is an unavoidable part of the job for most human societies, regardless of whether you’re in an office, on a farm, or a solo artist who occasionally works with clients, suppliers etc. A recent survey by the University of Phoenix found that 95% of employees feel strongly that teamwork is very important in the workplace, but less than a quarter of employees prefer to work in a team. Despite the boost to productivity, there are still serious reservations.
But why? In this article, Real Business will illustrate some of the highs and lows that come with working with others, as well as some tips and advice for productive teamwork and collaboration.
Table of Contents
The Highs Of Working With Others
The highs of working in a team are numerous, both for the company and for the individual.
Team Morale
Team morale is a shared experience of encouragement, hope and typically positive energy. When a group of people are challenged, and they come together to pool their skills to fight against said challenge, undeniable feelings of camaraderie occur.
That being said, challenge is not enough. Those within a team must have some level of soft skills, such as active listening, collaboration, conflict resolution etc. When others feel heard, motivation increases. The number one way to kill team morale is to treat others on the team as mere tools, rather than people.
Ideas
Ideas are great because they come from a unique person. In a group, ideas from different people illustrate unique perspectives coming together to bounce off of one another. This can lead to feedback and advice, and further evolution of your ideas.
Having people around you, whose opinions you trust, can be exceptionally valuable no matter what industry you’re in. Team collaboration plays a crucial role in sharing and building on these ideas, ensuring successful cooperation on tasks.
Time Can Go Faster
The workday can drag. Whilst those who are busy typically experience time going by faster as a result of being absorbed in their work, not everyone has the luxury of having work that offers engagement throughout working hours. Having others with you, in a great team, can help the day go by much faster. Much like how daydreaming is an activity your brain rewards due to having the opportunity to rest during that time, the conversation allows you to take a breather before diving back into work.
Meeting Like-Minded People
Those in the same industry as you likely have similar backgrounds, creating an opportunity to make friends and acquaintances who can follow you outside of the workplace. Furthermore, sharing personal anecdotes with people who share your educational or technical background can help build your skills, insights and integrity as a person.
Learn From One Another
One of the best things about working in a team that is made up of a highly diverse group of people is the fact that you have the opportunity to see things from a completely different viewpoint. You may learn different techniques and better ways of doing things, and be introduced to new ideologies. Learning from one another is a valuable life skill, and cooperation between diverse people has led to rapid cultural and economic growth throughout history.
Team Members Are There To Help If You Are Not Feeling Your Best
If you are having a bit of an off day and you work in a team, your team members are there to help you and pick up some of your slack. Whilst this should be only done in cases where a person truly needs it, this can rapidly create feelings of strong camaraderie – as well as ensure that you don’t fall behind in your work. This collaboration effectively acts as a safety net.
The Lows Of Working With Others
Now we come to the lows. The lows of working with others and in teams undeniably exist, as seen by the previously reported stats that illustrate nearly a quarter of people dislike working in a team. Some of the most common lows of working with others include the following.
Disagreements
In any workplace environment, there are bound to be disagreements. While disagreements are not entirely bad (as they can lead to better outcomes and better ways of doing things), disagreements can snowball into personal dislike. Whilst an apology can make up for an occasional unintended slight, consistent conflict can create deeper grievances that aren’t so easily fixed.
It is crucial to stay calm during such disagreements to navigate conflicts effectively and steer teams towards solutions. Problems that become a large detriment to workers usually occur as a result of bias, whether real or perceived, which can quickly become personal. This is why it’s always so important to tailor all proposed solutions towards the good of the workers.
One Person Dragging Down The Entire Team
It’s common for teamwork to include several people in unique roles working together. If one person within these roles does not keep to expected standards, they can become a weak link that invalidates every else’s work. This can result in a frustrating experience, but also one where employees have to act confrontational for the good of the workplace.
Nepotism
Nepotism and favouritism are still something prevalent today. When one team member is being treated more positively despite less, or having fewer skills, it can create feelings of distress and anger in the team. Unfairness is a feeling that provokes strong emotions within people, and those emotions can cause disharmony in the workplace – even when not completely visible.
Emotionally Draining
Social activity can be second nature for some, and incredibly draining for others. Furthermore, the more you’re exposed to traits within your teammates that you can’t stand, the more it may grate on your nerves – especially when things are not going as well as they should. Not only that but there is also the possibility of becoming emotionally invested in the negative aspects of your coworker’s lives, which can be detrimental.
Distractions
If you have a team surrounding you, you may find your workplace environment very distracting. Music playing, chatter, even simply walking from A to B past your chair. This can hinder productivity even if one can work effectively with others with little effort. It can also be a difficult subject to broach, as it has the potential to result in actions by management that are, or feel, disciplinary.
Personal Drama
Workers are people, and those who have less ability to maintain the boundary between personal and work life can create situations that are distressing and awkward for the workplace. Whilst it’s easier to keep external drama outside the office, drama within the office can just as easily get out of hand. Strong-willed and diplomatic managers are essential for not only defusing these situations but also preventing them from happening.
Tips For Working With Others
Life without adversity is near impossible, and we spend a quarter or more of our lives working alongside others. The following are some tips to achieve this.
- Develop personal ties – Get to know the people that you work alongside. This doesn’t necessarily mean asking about their personal lives, but rather trying to understand the persona you see before you at the present. This will lead to feelings of comfort and easy communication between you.
- Develop soft skills – Respecting boundaries and being respectful are foundational to human existence. Mind how you phrase things, and try to remember things about people. These have been proven time and again to create feelings of camaraderie, as remembering small details of a person’s life is a sign that you care.
- Teamwork skills – When everyone’s strengths and weaknesses are known, it is easy to delegate tasks and know who would be best at doing what. It is important to get to know the people that you have working around you and their experience, skills, knowledge, and capabilities. Furthermore, ensure that you are a team player in cases where your work is passed to them. Ensure you’re i’s are dotted, so to speak, so that the other person doesn’t have to clean up after you. When you receive feedback, take it in stride and don’t presume that the other person is being unfair for the sake of it.
- Clear communication – Communication is not just about talking, it is also about listening to one another and giving everyone a chance to speak. Clear lines of communication are essential, and team members should be made to feel that their opinions matter and that they can speak up whether they want to express their ideas or have a complaint. Poor communication only leads to issues remaining unaddressed.
- Structure – To work well with others, there needs to be structure in place. Everyone should know what they are responsible for, what times meetings are, who they need to be collaborating with, who holds positions of seniority etc. Cohesive group dynamics usually boil down to effective leadership, so ensure that you have trustworthy management in place that has the team’s best interests at heart.
- Being selective with who you employ – If you are a business owner or someone who is responsible for employing new team members, you should be very selective about who you bring onto the team. This doesn’t just mean in terms of competency, but also how well they fit with company culture.
Conclusion
In conclusion, working with others comes with a wide variety of challenges which are oftentimes unavoidable. But as previously stated, we spend a lot of our lives working, and facing difficulty is key to growing as a person. If you adopt the right attitude and practice patience, understanding, and clear communication, you could enjoy all of the highs that come with working alongside others. There is so much to learn from working with other people, and the value and insight that this gives you is truly priceless!
FAQ: The Role Of Team Leaders
Team leaders are responsible for creating a positive and inclusive team culture, providing clear goals and expectations, and encouraging open communication and feedback. This means you need someone who is not only good socially but also knows how to keep their ego under check. They need to be an authority figure in all things, teamwork skill, technical skills, communication, timekeeping etc. Effectively, they need to understand all of the foundational skills required to ensure successful teamwork.
Team leaders should display not only great problem-solving skills but skill at being ability to respond to telltale signs and prevent problems from occurring in the first place.
