Team Building and Morale

If there is more than one person involved in a business then success will require teamwork and cooperation. Though often talked about as important these items are generally overlooked as well. A proper team can accomplish more collectively than the sum of the individuals work. Teamwork will allow individuals to focus on strengths and the greater productivity in areas of strength without the weaknesses everybody has from derailing an effort.

How to Build Teamwork and Cohesion

The most important factor in determining how well people are willing to work together is in the example you personally set as the business owner. If you never leave your desk or office or interact with employees that is what they will perceive as your expectation. In that situation the only interaction that routinely takes place is on non-work discussion and activity that hinders as opposed enhances productivity.

If you routinely solicit the opinion and advice of employees they will feel comfortable doing the same of their co-workers. This does not mean in any way you need to follow that advice. Simply that you appreciate they may have something of value for your consideration. This fosters an atmosphere where asking others about solutions to work problems is the norm. Making employees feel free to discuss an area they have a problem which is the first step in in building communication needed for an effective team.

Healthy Competition vs Over Competitive

In a team everybody wants to do well because they want the respect of their peers. The amount you care about what a person thinks of you directly correlates to the amount you respect them. In healthy competition everybody tries to be better because they want to earn the same respect they feel for their teammates. This brings out peak performance and productivity in all.

In an over competitive environment or individual they only want to be better than everybody else. It may appear similar at first glance but in actuality it is a different mentality. One is driven by desire to be an important piece of a good team. The other does not care at all if they are better because they are better or if it is because the other people are worse. In an over competitive environment marginal work is deemed perfectly acceptable so long as other people’s work is worse.

To correct an over competitive attitude structure bonus on team achievements and group goals. Another technique is to share blame for errors. If work quality is deficient for one person or group ask why it was not noticed by the other people in the group and corrected. This makes success require caring about the quality of the work of others. Even a stubborn employee will soon learn it is easier to teach or assist than bear responsibility and fix the work of other team members.

Not all Work

Part of effective team building involves morale. While obvious success or failure at work has a big influence on morale so does general mood and attitude. If employees feel like work is fun or can associate it with fun it is far easier to maintain productivity.

Contests and activities that do not involve cash prizes for both work and non-directly work related activities have good results. Some examples are things like Ugliest Christmas Sweater Day, holiday gift exchange, or even potluck office lunches all give opportunity for workers to relax a little and get to know each other in a non-work capacity that enhances their desire to help each other while working.

Occasional larger more formal events such as paintball competitions, or corporate treasure hunts require an investment but have long lasting dividends that employees talk about and look forward to all year once established. As well as fun and entertaining it teaches employees to look at unfamiliar situations and team problem solve in unfamiliar ways that transfer back to a more effective work environment.

When possible consider including family in business functions. Even if it is just a picnic outing or bring your child to work day when employees meet and see families they see their co-workers as people instead of just in a work sense. It also will help worker morale if the family is more supportive of their job and understand it better.