Path to Successful Projects: 7 Elements of Effective Teamwork in the Workplace
Effective teamwork is essential in the workplace and is the key to the success of any project. Statistics show that teams with higher levels of trust have reported 76% engagement, which is significantly above the average of 13% engagement worldwide.
The same work and employment statistics report stated that collaboration can improve productivity by up to 30%. Other key findings include that 20% of businesses are likelier to have better employee retention if they promote effective teamwork.
If you’re looking to improve your skills as a team leader or conducting research for a Master of Project Management—it’s crucial to understand the importance of teamwork. Effective teamwork can be what makes or breaks a project or even the whole organisation. So, let’s explore the seven elements of effective teamwork that make up the path to success.
Open & respectful communication
Clear communication should be at the heart of any team and project—especially when they’re facing an obstacle. Statistics show that effective communication can improve employees’ productivity, retention, trust, and engagement.
A lack of effective communication can lead to a lack of accountability, confusing responsibilities, and unclear instructions. It’s important to maintain clear communication for clarity and to ensure everyone understands their ‘purpose’—what their role is in the group and what they can expect to do.
Transparency & accountability
When working in a team, it’s important to ensure that there is transparency across all levels. This includes management, leadership, and employees. A lack of trust between levels and members can lead to miscommunication and conflict—which is a leading reason for failing projects.
Accountability is also an important factor when it comes to successful projects. Mistakes can and will happen, even if everything is going smoothly. It’s essential when a mistake does happen that the person(s) take accountability and don’t shift blame. This will help foster a positive workplace where effective teamwork can grow.
Defined roles
Clearly defined roles are a must for any project manager looking to build an effective team. When roles and responsibilities are understood by every member, it leads to less frustration and confusion over tasks—leading to better employee satisfaction and productivity.
Strong team leadership
A team is only ever as strong as its leadership. In a recent survey by The Centre for Workplace Leadership, University of Melbourne, it was revealed that 75% of employees reported that Australian workplaces need better managers and leaders.
If an employee feels like they aren’t being managed well or treated with respect, not only does it reflect poorly on leadership—but it also brings down employee morale and productivity. A strong leader needs to be able to boost morale, increase effectiveness, and be a role model for everyone.
Effective conflict management
Even on a successful project, differing opinions and problems can always arise. When this happens, it’s critical to ensure any conflict is managed and resolved in a way that’s respectful and leaves both parties satisfied.
If you find that your project is lacking in the conflict management department, there are a few solutions to this. A common solution is to incorporate team-building activities, which will lead to less conflict and also improve trust between your team.
Reliable collaboration tools
When managing a project, it’s essential to ensure that the entire team can collaborate seamlessly. Especially in a post-pandemic world with hybrid workplaces where people can work in the office or remotely, software that allows for real-time collaboration is a necessity.
Ensuring that these collaboration tools are reliable can make or break a project. Ideally, collaboration tools allow project managers to easily manage team members, set up meetings on the fly, have on-demand access to shared documents, and efficiently communicate with other users.
Effective collaboration tools have been reported to improve employee productivity and produce better results. They can also be great for enhancing teamwork, as it allows for members in a group to operate as effectively as possible—sharing information easily from anywhere in the world.
Team-building opportunities
For any team or group to work together, it’s important to build a strong sense of comfort, trust, and belonging. A great way to do this is through team-building opportunities, whether it be team events, meals, or activities.
Great examples of this include social activities, such as getting the work group together for an escape room. It can be a great way to have the team work together toward a shared goal whilst relying on and engaging with each other.
There are many key benefits to team building opportunities and reasons why you should include them in your next corporate event. The main ones are it can enhance communication, build trust, increase morale, and even improve employee retention.
The path to a successful project
If you want to give any project in the workplace the best chance possible—incorporate these seven elements. By creating an environment for your team that fosters the growth of trust, strong communication and honesty between all members, you’ll be walking the path to success.
Conclusion
Building a successful team isn’t a mysterious feat. By focusing on these seven elements – open communication, transparency, defined roles, strong leadership, conflict management, reliable collaboration tools, and team-building opportunities – you can cultivate an environment ripe for project success.
When team members trust each other, communicate clearly, and hold each other accountable, great things can be achieved. So, take these elements to heart and watch your team flourish on the path to achieving its goals.
