Articles

The importance of teambuilding

ZweigWhite Consulting

Strong, effective working teams can greatly impact and increase staff productivity, employee morale, and overall staff retention rates. Bonds amongst team members and team leaders can be strengthened through the development of their relationships with one another. The deeper the connections, the higher the level of commitment, loyalty, and accountability team members experience with each other.
 
The ingredients to building a strong and winning team can be a bit nebulous, but the thing to remember is that there is a strong emotional component that gets team members working with and for each other smoothly. Here are some tips on teambuilding methods that can get your group running more cohesively.
 
It goes both ways. Keep in mind that relationships develop across every level of hierarchy within ''the pyramid.'' It's important for team members to develop sound relationships with each other, but it's equally important for them to develop relationships with their leaders and vice versa. Developing relationships with people at different levels can add valuable depth to an employee's job knowledge and perspective— no matter where they fit into the organization. It's not hard to imagine the value of this.
 
As a leader, having direct communication with subordinates can provide you with useful feedback on your leadership decisions, is a great opportunity to score charisma and credibility points, and allows you to more effectively monitor performance. As a team member, you develop a more personal relationship with your leader and get an opportunity to build a stronger rapport with the person who plays a major role in your future with the firm.
 
It happens at work. Give your staff more opportunities to work with and get to know each other. Simple steps like having lunch together at least once a week or even changing the seating configuration in your office can go a long way in giving people more of a chance to interact with each other. The setup of project-based teams can also give staff a chance to rotate through working with one another by assigning individuals to multiple projects with different teams.
 
It's not all about work. Spending time together outside the office can be a great way to further develop relationships. By interacting in a different environment, away from the stress and expectations associated with the daily grind in the office, employees will add meaning to the idea of ''team'' by getting to know each other as people.
 
Events outside the office are also a great way to reward staff for their achievements or a job well-done! Consider planning an interactive off-site event for your team at the local amusement park, golf course, or bowling alley. Even a movie together on a slow Friday afternoon or after-work happy hours can be a good place for people to relax and connect outside of work.
 
Teambuilding is all about communication. You'll find that the more team members communicate with each, the more productive they will be in the office.