Creating the Conditions for Effective Teamwork

Teams are a collection of individuals with complimentary skills who are seeking to achieve a specific result or results. 

It might be to reduce wastage, improve throughput, increase sales or better determine project costs to name just a few. 

Effective teamwork relies in the conditions being created that facilitate effective teamwork.  So what areas require attention?

Clear purpose

The first condition for effective teamwork is to get the purpose clear.  If you don’t know what the purpose of the teams work is, how will you know if it is achieved? 

A good question to ask is what are we here to achieve as a team? 

The greater the clarity you get on this the easier it will be for the team to focus on the right thing.  Another way of getting to your purpose is to consider what will be different when the team has completed its work.

Right people

No team will ever be effective unless it has the right people with the right skills on it. 

Team selection is challenging but important.  Sadly in my experience it’s one of those areas where there is insufficient focus when it comes to recruiting staff.

As well as people having knowledge of their own area, they need to have the right attributes to build trust, rapport and relationships with others.

Dependency

For a team to exist and achieve there needs to be dependency. 

By dependency, I mean that the performance of one part of the organisation needs to be dependent on one or more other areas to achieve results. 

For example, an organisation might decide that it wants to cut energy costs by 5% and set up a team to achieve it.  The Finance Director might well be the person reporting back but will be dependent on areas like purchasing, estates management and a management accountant to achieve that outcome.

Team accountability

For effective teamwork, team members need to be committed to delivering on their piece of the jigsaw. 

In addition, there needs to be accountability to the team and the team results.  This is radically different to the norm which places huge emphasis on individual accountability and takes time to develop.

Diversity

One of the real advantages of teams is that there is access to a greater range of skills, experience, knowledge and personal attributes than there would be in one individual.  

This diversity is what in many ways makes teamwork so powerful. 

Exploiting the benefits of this diversity does not happen overnight.  It takes teams time to build up that trust and it is important to allow the time for that to be created rather than trying to force the pace.

In building a physical object, strong foundations need to be created if it is to be a success.  Teams are no different.  Their success depends on creating the conditions for effective teamwork.

So what do you need to do to improve team effectiveness?

About the Author Duncan Brodie

Since 2006 I’ve worked with in excess of 8,000 accountants and professionals in workshops, seminars and one to one helping them land their next jobs and become better leaders, presenters and business partners. Before that I spent 25 years in accountancy climbing the career ladder from Payments Clerk to FD. I’m a CIMA Fellow, Certified Professional Coach and Team Coach Facilitator.

Leave a Comment:

9 comments
online verkoop van diltiazem says 16 November 2023

I’ve been exploring for a bit for any high
quality articles or weblog posts in this sort of space . Exploring in Yahoo I finally stumbled upon this site.

Studying this information So i am glad to express that I have an incredibly excellent uncanny feeling I discovered exactly what
I needed. I such a lot undoubtedly will make certain to do not fail to remember this web site and give it a glance regularly.

Reply
compra enerzair a Catania online says 17 November 2023

When I originally commented I seem to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on whenever a
comment is added I receive four emails with the exact same
comment. Is there a means you are able to remove me from
that service? Thank you!

Reply
pedido de hipecor en Bélgica says 18 November 2023

Your mode of describing all in this paragraph is truly fastidious, every
one be able to easily be aware of it, Thanks a lot.

Reply
Lona says 20 November 2023

I’m curious to find out what blog platform you are working with?
I’m having some minor security problems with my latest blog and I’d like
to find something more risk-free. Do you have any suggestions?

Reply
donde comprar lotera says 28 November 2023

Howdy would you mind letting me know which hosting company you’re working with?
I’ve loaded your blog in 3 different internet browsers and I must say
this blog loads a lot quicker then most. Can you recommend a good internet hosting provider at a honest price?
Many thanks, I appreciate it!

Reply
dulcolax a un prezzo competitivo says 2 December 2023

Hello, this weekend is pleasant for me, because this point in time i am
reading this enormous educational post here at my house.

Reply
Add Your Reply