These are the kinds of teams most people are familiar with. You’d be surprised at how many different kinds of teams there are!
I know what you’re probably thinking: cricket, soccer, football, basketball. Trust me, I wouldn’t write a sports story of my own free will.
Teams can take on many forms, from people we’re employed to work with, a group assignment at school, being in a committee for an interest group, to your standard sports teams. Chances are, if you’ve never been a part of one, or manage one at some stage in your life, you’re living an extremely sheltered existence.
Funnily enough, the different kinds of teams mentioned above have many things in common. In any team, every member is there to achieve a common goal, every member has their own place based on their individual strengths and weaknesses, and each member is expected to do their share of work to ensure that common goal is reached.
Sadly however, many teams do not work due to various conflicts between members. As a result, the team fails to achieve their goal.
To simply say, “Work together and get the job done” is incredibly naive, especially when we all know that there are some personality types which just do not go together. However, there are several basic pitfalls presented to teams which every member should be aware of. These few tips could make all the difference to your team and the goal you’re striving for:
I feel this is relevant in many cases!
- Don’t jump in and take over the whole project. Trust me, there is one in every group. The dominant one who jumps in, tries to take charge and wants to be the boss. Let the other members find their place and say their piece. Chances are, they might be shy and don’t want to look like they’re trying to take over. In saying this however, find the happy medium. Make sure everyone is having their say and each part of the project is being fairly allocated based on each member’s abilities.
- Be assertive, not aggressive. If you have an idea that you think could really work, speak up. Chances are nobody else has thought of it. But don’t shove it down their throats. Calmly explain why you feel the team would benefit from using your idea.
- Don’t just be the Yes Man. You might think you’re being nice by saying, “I’ll do whatever you tell me to do”, but the other members in your group will grow impatient quickly if they feel like you can’t stand on your own feet in the team.
- Keep the lines of communication open. Make sure each member of the team can contact you, and make yourself available should you, or they, have any questions. A Facebook group chat is perfect for this sort of thing, and this way, nobody is excluded.
- Make sure you are doing your allocated share of the work. It is unfair if the rest of the team has to pick up your slack. As we all know, sometimes stuff comes up in life that we can’t control, the old “Shit happens” expression fits here nicely. However, make sure you’re doing your absolute best to hold up your end.
- Be organised! Make sure you have made arrangements around your other life commitments to be a member of the team. There is nothing more frustrating than when you miss an important team engagement because of your own poor organisation.
- Be upfront. If things aren’t quite going the way you think they should be, or you don’t feel that another member is doing what they should be, tell them to their face in a diplomatic way. It is difficult, but it is still better than bitching about them behind their backs and causing further friction within the team.
- Don’t be the one that drops out at the last minute. How many times have we heard of the lead up to the big day; the due date, the big presentation, the big game and someone suddenly comes down with a vomiting bug, or has a panic attack. Do not be this person. Keep yourself healthy, and if necessary, have some Rescue Remedy to calm those nerves.
Working in a team is often a challenge. The key is to work together. Seek out each other’s strengths, utilise them, and push them as far as you can.
By using these tips, your work should be that little bit easier.
Happy teamwork!
Bye for now,
xoxo Brett
