So many theories cover the field of successful management, team building and tools and skills needed for running a business and great collaboration. However, there is one key element which is often neglected. And the key element is – the people.
It is the people who collaborate and they do this by following orders or presenting their own ideas in a well set up system. It is the people who go through different challenges and come up with different initiatives. It is the people, the individuals, the workers, the managers and directors who make teams, and it is the teams, organized or spontaneous ones, which make the difference between a successful business and a failing one.
Team building methods and techniques for collaboration enhancement
Some essential abilities of team building required for effective teamwork imply the need to possess certain qualities or administer certain attitudes and/or actions. These can come from the leadership or management, but also on a more horizontal level, these can be seen among co-workers and peers as well.
So, from the position of decision-makers, as well as a colleague you should:
- Be respectful.
- Keep a positive attitude.
- Invest in the relationship building.
- Put an emphasis on responsibility.
- Ensure that you understand feelings.
- Position honesty as essential.Use influencing.
Knowing the key elements and applying the methods for building effective teamwork helps businesses build teams throughout any organization. These are then not just task-oriented and box-ticking teams, but those built to last and endure any test of time. These teams are now able to collaborate well and are result-oriented meaning they actually take pride and joy in their work, and have a strong feeling of accomplishment and belonging to a joint vision and path.
Key elements of team building for efficient collaboration
There are many key elements that can enhance or hinder the efficient collaboration between team members and/or higher management and employees. These are the key points targeted by team building activities.
Commitment and trust are keys to good communication. This means that they are sound foundations meant to create a free and trusting environment in which each team member can express any concerns, give insight, input or ask for help.
Diversity of capabilities is also important for long term successful collaboration because by recognizing each individual’s talent, a great team can be built and maximum capacity employed at the core level and structure of any company.
Adaptability is another term which is gaining momentum in the world we live in today. There is a rising need to ensure that the life-long learning process is present at all levels. It is of the essence that employees are able to keep up with the times and that even the biggest systems are agile and ready to adapt. This adaptation is not only present at the level of processes and organizations, but also at the level of forming, to say, impromptu teams and assigning roles and tasks at the spot. This is possible only by knowing individual strengths, capacities and challenges every team member possesses or faces. The insight is gained precisely through team building activities and good leadership.
There is also the issue of creative freedom. We need employees to carry out the task at hand and come up with the finished result, product or outcome. But there is a potential loss here. If employees are not given at least some room to maneuver, to share ideas, to feel free to come up with their own suggestions, from the ground up-the system might eventually collapse and collaboration is hindered by a sense of stifling overprotection of the process and not of the essence. Especially with technology and new tools for time management, collaboration tools, online apps and resources, there is little excuse left.
The only thing you must never forget is that you can purchase tools for doing your work, but you cannot purchase people’s attitudes. These need more time, care and planning. Team building is hence the best long-term investment after the training of the workforce.
First of all, you get to see all your employees at hand in a non-formal or semi-formal setting, and in a way get the “feel” of the company. Secondly, you give them a chance to mingle and structure their intra-relational networks which then, even latently, ensure long-term satisfaction in every day work. And thirdly, you get to actually have some fun and unwind.
Help your team connect by implementing the best collaboration tools
And if you are looking for a great online tool for collaboration in your everyday business operation, try CollaboraZon and get a free trial period. This is the best solution you can use as a leader to help teams collaborate and be more productive in their day-to-day tasks, with a simple and easy-to-use interface. You can make use of powerful features such as sharing files, giving feedback, exchanging messages, creating events and more, and focus on developing your clear and structured strategic plan.
And, of course-you can use it to set up and get ready for your next team building.
So, where is your next team building endeavor going to take you and your business?
Good luck!