Teamwork is dreamwork. Team Building is an important task to do the work collectively. The bigger tasks are more difficult if not impossible, for individuals to complete but teams can. Collective efforts can save time and energy in accomplishing complex tasks. It is true but only achievable if the team coordinates are capable and professionally trained.

Teamwork is the essence of a team. Putting some individuals together alone will not serve the very purpose of building a team. The team however is best when comprised of like-minded individuals with a focus on a common purpose, believing in coordinated efforts to achieve the target within the assigned framework of resources and time limits.

Why Build a Team?

Complex tasks need more time and energy and a set of varied skills. The professionals having a set of all required skills are knitted together to achieve a common goal and make a team. The team members are taught to coordinate with each other as per work requirements. This coordination is called teamwork. The stronger the sense of teamwork among the team members, the superb will be the performance of the team.

Team Building Strategies

Developing a professional, competent team is always a gigantic challenge for Managers. Selecting the right professionals, knitting them into a team, and making them proud to perform for a common goal is an art a good Manager needs to master. The following time-tested team-building strategies can help in building marvelous teams.

1 – A Pat from Leadership

“Love begets love” and it applies to respect as well. Give your team respect and they will show more loyalty. A known way is to invite them for a cup of tea, breakfast, or a working lunch with the CEO. Do the due and see the results.

2 – Branding of Team

Branding is a buzzword of the modern lifestyle. Giving names to individuals, teams, activities even pets is an age-old trait of humans. It gives a sense of belonging and pride. In forces companies, regiments, and battalions are known for their specific names carrying their own flags, insignia, etc. Branding of the team can boost morale and confidence in the team.

3 – Coordination

Teamwork simply means coordination with each other. Teams learn to coordinate because of workplace compulsions. Training them to work together in a systematic manner can help to improve their collaboration skills.

4 – Celebrate Success

People take pleasure in celebrating their success. It is but in human nature. Make it congenial for your team to celebrate. It improves productivity and loyalty. Their energy level jumps higher to take up the task ahead.

5 – Decentralization

Authorizing one or just a few members can do a lot of damage to the company sometimes. To focus on team working, it’s important to decentralize the controls so everyone gets to practice their rights and say, what comes with their position or assigned designation.

6 – Engaging Team

Never take your team members easily. A worker knows more about the job he is doing. Ask team members for suggestions. Their opinion is more relevant and practical to work on. They can better put into practice the design that they have in mind. They understand it perfectly.

7 –Enhancing Skill Set

The team-building process moves through targeted selection, hiring, and training. It enhances the skill set of individual team members improving their market value. The individual team members maturing into professionals, get better market exposure and repute for the organization.

8 – Evaluating Team

Evaluate the learning of a team before assigning the work. Better to assess their capabilities first. It provides for addressing the limitations if any.

9 – Healthcare

A healthy mind lives in a healthy body

Encouraging the team to take care of their health can help in boosting productivity. Making arrangements for their physical health and fitness means making them mentally more capable and fit for the job. In a way, a bit little investment of time and resources can prove the game-changer.

10 – Importance of Team

The team is important because it is formed for the complex jobs which otherwise are difficult to do. It is an investment in resources both financial and human. The failure of an individual worker can easily be compensated but the failure of the team costs a lot of time and resources.

11- Internal Promotion

Breed a culture of internal promotions. Avoid undue external hiring. Organizations having a culture of internal promotions win the trust and confidence of their employees. Employee turnover remains low. Everyone feels him on the waiting list to grab the opportunity.

12 – Motivational Drive

Run a motivational drive by hiring brand motivational speakers and trainers. Supplementing it with incentives can reinforce the very purpose of this exercise.

13– Network is Net-Worth

“A man is known by the company he keeps”

the man is also known by the company he “avoids”

Encouraging networking enhances the net worth of the team. The more a team member is knitted in social and professional circles the more he is able to use his connections for achieving the team objectives.

14 – Produce Substitutes

Nothing is eternal, and such is the case with professionals. People come and go but the organizations stay. Keeping all eggs in one basket is not a rational approach. Build up your second defense line by producing the substitute. Honorably say goodbye to the leaving ones. Fill the place with the best you invested in. No one then ever will think to cheat you and your organization.

15 – Panel Discussions

Panel discussions with external experts can provide a chance for a direct question-answer opportunity for the entire team. It’s a win-win situation for people at both ends. Panelists can take their suggestions and the audience can get their concerns answered. Practically, a very interactive way of discussing tough and bitter pain points.

16 – Sense of Responsibility

A team is like a partnership. Everyone is responsible for the acts and deeds of each other. Inculcating a sense of responsibility among team members can improve the team output. Making goals a common objective brings the members closer to sharing a common cause.

17 – Skill Combination

Watch your team at work to find the best coordinating team members. Unite them into groups for the tasks where their combined skill set can best be utilized. People prefer to work with colleagues who understand their style They synchronize with them for fast accomplishments. Productivity is after all a product of working in harmony.

18 – Social Responsibility

A man is a social animal. Society is the place where he can live and survive. The rule of thumb is that he will be taken care of as much as he is caring for others. Caring for others and delivering in communities is what we call a social responsibility. Train your team to take up the task.

19 – Team Interaction

Team leaders are a source of inspiration for fellow team members. Trusting each other is the product of knowing each other and knowing it better. Help team members to know each other. This will bind them in friendship. Friendship paves the way for trusting each other.

20 – Training

Team members are normally selected on the basis of their skills and competencies. The need for training for revision and improvements still remains important. Starting a training or a mentor-ship initiative can work wonders.

The above are some proven strategies. The list however is not holy scripture. A detailed study of the subject, a bit of management exposure, and a little brainstorming, and you can expand the list to the extent of your desires. The real thing that works is set in action what you learn. Practice alone is the path to perfection.

Photo by Jannes Glas on Unsplash