As the times and trends changing in every few months and project management gets fierce every day, project managers are trying to look for ways to up their game using different methodologies and technologies. But amongst all this, most of us overlook one quality on which successful teams are built – TEAMWORK.
A recent study said, “39% of employees believe that people in their own organization don’t collaborate enough.” Not only this, about 75% of employers rate teamwork and collaboration as crucial factors in the modern-day workplace.
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Why is teamwork important?
Teamwork is the oil that makes the team work. It not only creates human synergy but also prolongs the momentum of a team. By supporting a more empowered way of working, it amplifies the results of each team member such that the overall result is greater than the individual contribution made by them.
It won’t be wrong to say that a successful organization operates at its best when employees work with a mentality in the best interest of the project in complete unison. Here’s what you can do to make sure your team is super-strong and built to last.
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1. Hire the right talent
A team is as good as its team members. Invest a good amount of time and effort to build your team. Take the final call only after all boxes are ticked off on your list. It’s okay to be a little ambitious and look for employees who are nothing but exceptional in their craft. Whether you are looking for full-time employees or contractors, always go with the one you are hundred percent confident about.
Don’t be afraid to hire a newbie who may have the required experience but possesses a willingness to learn sincerity, and team spirit. Always trust your gut. If possible, include a mix of genders, ages and add a dash of diversity to your team.
Thus, a thorough and well-thought selection process for making a team is desirable, even if you end up spending a little more time recruiting than you’d like to as there’s no point in hiring people just to fill bodies in your team.
2. Empower team members to make decisions
After you’ve hired suitable candidates, treat each role as an essential part of the team. They would only be able to elevate your team if you trust them and give them the freedom to work the way they want. This would not only help them to bring their best to the table but also enable mutual trust and respect in the organization.
Your team members also appreciate it if you ask for their advice or just their opinion before zeroing in on something. In a survey, 90% of employees who responded believed that decision-makers should seek the opinions of others before making a final decision.
Without interfering too much and not being over liberal as well, being a project manager, you can ask them: “Jack, do you want any help right now?” This will not only help you analyze the progress but will also make them feel important and valued.
3. Facilitate communication
Do you what is the one quality on which an effective team thrives on – EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION. However, it seems like not many companies like to communicate because 86% of employees and executives cite ineffective communication or lack of collaboration as workplace failures. Whereas, successful organizations know how important it is to communicate with team members to maintain synergy and be on the right track.
In project management, it’s better to over-communicate than to under-communicate.
Project management software like ProofHub is making it easy for project managers and teams to have an open line of communication. With Online discussions and Chat, members can initiate meaningful conversations and surface new ideas.
In an era of communication, such software gives your team members a voice. Team members taking opinions from others and sharing feedback helps them to be engaged in the project. It makes them more accountable and gives them a feeling of ownership over their work, leading to better performance.
4. Invest in people and processes
They carry the responsibility of success and failure of the project on their shoulders. Thus, we second when they say, “Employees are the biggest asset of an organization.” An organization will only attain the status of ‘successful’, if its foundation i.e. employees is as strong as steel.
Once you have the right team in place, you should focus on the process. Develop a process that meets your requirements. It can be anything – a distinct approach, using a methodology, employing a project management software, or sticking to a set of techniques or ethics that go with your vision. A well-defined process is a sure-shot key to success that makes the team one and enhances overall functionality.
Sometimes, even when you have a kick-ass process by your side, you may not get the desired results. This happens when there is a knowledge gap or team members might lack certain qualities. This is where the role of a project manager comes into the picture.
He must organize skill-enhancing training or talk to upper management to get them certified. This investment will reap fruits in the form of increased accountability, a boost in overall productivity, and a steep rise in revenues.
5. Celebrate success and failures
Your teams are no less than families. You spend as much time with your colleagues or even more than you do with your family. Just like you celebrate various festivities with your siblings and parents, you should celebrate your and your peer’s professional successes, milestones, and accomplishments with equal zest and enthusiasm. This fosters a feeling of unity, togetherness, and harmony at your workplace.
Appreciate when someone does a good job. Give them a shout-out in front of others so that every effort is seen and appreciated. On the contrary, if things don’t go as planned or the team tastes like a failure, don’t throw anyone under the bus and start the blame game. Instead, take everyone together and figure out the next move.
It’s the attitude that determines the fate of a project. You can’t avoid setbacks as they are inevitable in both project management and life. The day when your team members learn these virtues will be the day your team will become invincible. As Henry Ford said,
“If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.”
6. Hold trust-building exercises
One of the best ways to break the ice and bring your team members is to set aside time for trust-building exercises. The same work breeds monotony. Due to this offices are never synonymous with fun and excitement. Office schedule, meetings, same work, same people, it’s quite normal to be bored with the daily scheme of things.
A great leader will always see this opportunity to mix work with fun. If done right, spicing up things every few days you can turn boring offices into a collaborative workplace. These activities generate a feeling of togetherness and build a motivated work culture.
Improved communication, better camaraderie, better problem-solving skills, improved performances, and new leaders are some of the major benefits that come along with team-building activities.
We, at ProofHub, love to include such activities at least once a month for an hour or two. As we believe in working hard and partying harder. Also, people say, “A team that plays together, stays together.”
Here are some of our favorite team-building exercises that our team members love to play.
Scavenger Hunt
Rules: Break the group into a team of two or more. Give them fun tasks but with a deadline. You can also give them some hints. Tasks can be anything from giving them a dare such as making a stranger do something funny for them.
Purpose: Encourages team members to understand each other and develop a rapport with a splash of fun.
Two Truths and a Lie
Rules: This is a no-equipment game where everyone should sit facing each other. Ask everyone to come up and state two truths and a lie about himself and then everyone should unanimously figure out the lie.
Purpose: It offers an opportunity for everyone in a team to get to know each other better.
Office Makeover
This activity is really fun as it gives you a chance to give your workplace a makeover. Work as a team and be a little innovative. You can use anything such as photo frames, plants, and other little things to make your workplace more happening.
Purpose: It makes them unique, creative, and think out of the box. Also, you can uplift the mood and the vibe of your workplace.
Besides these, there are other cool games such as The Game of Possibilities, The Perfect Shape, and Organizational Zenga that can lift the overall work ambiance with positivity, togetherness, and mutual respect.
These activities not only build a healthy workforce but also create a good working environment as well. So which activity would you play with your team?