Why Teamwork matters in today’s workplace 

LEts find out together…

If you have ever work on a group project, you most likely know that teamwork can feel two different ways, super productive or completely frustrating. In organizational settings, however, teams proceed to play a huge role in success. Beebe and Masterson (2020) explains that small group communication is interaction between people who share a common purpose, feel connected to one another, and influence each other. When team work well together, they combine knowledge, creativity, and experience in ways that people can’t do alone.

One of the biggest benefits of teamwork is the diversity of persepectives it brings. Groups tend to develop more ideas than individuals, which then builds creativity and problem-solving skills (Beebe & Masterson, 2020). When people talk about their ideas out loud, learning starts to become more active, and group memebers tend to recall what they talked about together. Further research has also shows that diverse reams tend to make better and stronger decisions because they take into account multiple different perspectives before reaching a final conclusion (Rock & Grant, 2016). In addition, when employees partake in decision-making, they tend to feel more satisfied and commited to the final outcome. Being included in a team can even help people better understand their own personal weaknesses, strengths, and communication styles.

Although there are many advantages to teamwork, it is not always perfect. Team can struggle with groupthink, which occurs when group members avoid disagreements in order to keep the peace. Avoiding disagreements can limit creativity and lead to bad decision-making. Social loafing is another common problem within groups, where people contribute less because the responsibility is being shared. Because of these different challenges, some companies have chosen to step back from team-focused structures. Bersin (2018) explains that organizations sometimes withdraw from teams when meetings become unproductive, role are blurry, and accountability is not being held. Without strong leadership and structure, team work can eventually slow down productivity rather than improving it.

However, there are many companies who continue to find success with teams when they are managed effectively. For example, Google executed an internal study called Project Aristotle with the goal of better understanding what makes teams successful. The company found that psychological safety, the ability for team members to speak openly and honestly without the fear of being embarrassed or judged, was the most important factor when it came to high-performing teams. This research study shows that communication, trust, and respect are crucial elements for teamwork. You can learn more about this study and the findings here: https://rework.withgoogle.com/intl/en/

Overall, while teamwork does have its challenges, the benefits that come along with it often overtake the disadvantages when teams work together and are balanced properly. When organizations encourage open communication, define roles clearly, and promote accountability, teams can ultimately better their creativity, success, and overall satisfaction.

Teamwork Matters!

References:

Beebe, S. A., & Masterson, J. T. (2020). Communicating in small groups: Principles and practices (12th ed.). Pearson.

Bersin, J. (2016, March 3). Why focus on teams, not just leaders, is the secret to business performance. Forbes. http://www.forbes.com/sites/joshbersin/2016/03/03/why-a-focus-on-teams-not-just-leaders-is-the-secret-to-business-performance/?ctpv=searchpage

Rock, D., Grant, H. (2016). Why diverse teams are smarter. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2016/11/why-diverse-teams-are-smarter