I am surprised to find that even in today’s global village where success is dependent on close cooperation and working interdependently, many people still have the wrong concept about teamwork and often only equate it with sports and sports teams. The truth is, we are all part of a team. We became part of one the day we were born (our family) and will continue to be part of one until the day we die.
So, what is teamwork?
According to Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, it is “work done by several associates with each doing a part but all subordinating personal prominence to the efficiency of the whole.” In other words, effective teamwork involves and requires the subordination of individual desires while working cohesively to achieve a common goal.
To be clear, this by no means suggests that the individual is not an important part of the equation; but rather that effective and efficient teamwork goes beyond individual accomplishments. The most effective teamwork occurs when there is a harmonizing of the contribution of everyone involved. This reflects what the French call esprit de corps– a sense of unity, of enthusiasm for common interests and responsibilities, as developed among a group of persons closely associated with a task, cause, enterprise, etc.
The individual
Some may argue that there are more than enough examples of individual brilliance. What about the maverick salesman or the star athlete who is dominating the track in her individual event? Where is the teamwork in those instances? Make no mistake about it, we are all primarily responsible for our own success. It begins with us displaying the necessary discipline, drive and determination but knowing that no one truly succeeds by themselves. Both the salesman and the athlete need a team of people working in the background to support their endeavors. Whether that support staff is in the form of a customer service representative or coach; they work collaboratively with the respective individuals to help them reach the pinnacle of their success. Our lives are forged by many hearts and hands.
Notwithstanding, the individual remains the spark that ignites the power of teamwork. For a team to be productive, it needs members who are best suited for solving a specific problem. Sports coaches are highly specific when recruiting talent for their teams while in business the criteria are often much broader. While some team members may be adaptable to what the team needs for a particular effort, in general, the functional needs of the team must be matched with people with the correct skills. Otherwise, you end up with a highly dysfunctional team.
Leadership
Whenever I speak of leadership, I like to point out that everyone in an organization, whether they have a title or not, is a leader and thus shares the responsibility for the direction and effectiveness of the team. That means that the receptionist in the rental office, the superintendent who keeps the place running as well as the gardener who immaculately maintains the grounds all play important leadership roles. Having said that, those in executive positions have the direct responsibility for the organization’s growth and of the many roles they may have; one of the most important is that of CEO-Chief Empowerment Officer.
Leadership is not about the power of one, but facilitating the greatness of many. Successful leaders embrace the power of teamwork by tapping into the innate strength each person brings to the table. Such leaders do not engage in the habit of torpedoing ideas put forward by team members just to shore up their status as the leader but instead give of themselves selflessly, helping others to explore their full potential and reach the pinnacle of their own power. In that way, the leader creates an environment where everyone is enriched by the accumulation and the magnitude of talents.
Vision
Commitment and hard work is not enough. High productivity, efficiency and sustainability are all good traits but these too are not enough to create a strong team. Every team needs a vision-something to inspire, captivate imagination, and raise team members to new levels of personal empowerment, thus allowing the overall organization to thrive. Back in the 1980’s Microsoft had a vision of, “A computer in every home running Microsoft software.” That vision became the reason for their existence. It guided and drove their success. People want to be connected to something that is bigger than them. A clear vision engages people in an organization. It drives behaviors, creativity, commitment, engagement and determination of every member of the team. It gives them a real sense of what could be possible.
Communication
Communication is a key component of any successful relationship including the diverse and oftentimes complex relationships which exist on teams. Communicating effectively does not simply mean conveying information message has to be conveyed with shared meaning.
For example, while you will typically find a number of issues arising out of rental agreements, the source of conflict in the interpersonal relationships between landlords and tenants is mostly the result of or is exacerbated by poor communication.
Communicating effectively with a tenant will help the landlord shed the image of simply being a mere rent collector and be seen as a partner. Regardless of the nature of the relationship, clear, effective communication helps build trust and allows all parties to feel respected and that the point of view is being heard.
Self-Evaluation
Teams are living breathing entities that are impacted by the changing environment in which they find themselves and are in fact changing themselves. The most successful teams practice self-evaluation. They consistently look at ways to improve processes and practices. They are continuously seeking ways to adapt and adopt new technologies as well as openly and honestly discuss team norms and what may be hindering their ability to move forward and progress in areas of effort, talent, and strategy. This process helps them to drive and direct change instead of becoming a victim of it
Keep On Pushing!