Regardless of the industry or country, there has been a significant shift in the way we work and our work locations. We have smoothly adapted to a digital workplace, remote working, a return to the office, and a future that will likely incorporate a hybrid of all these approaches. Wherever you stand on the future of the office, collaboration and teamwork is imperative for a productive and successful business that will stand the test of time, says Joanna Knight OBE, Group CEO of Moneypenny, the UK’s leading provider of outsourced communications, a company consistent recognized as a Great Place to Work.
The power of your people.
For me, it is about creating a sense of unity whilst also celebrating people’s differences. As individuals we are unique, and we bring a whole scale of skills, experiences, backgrounds and perspectives with that. Bring these together with a common purpose or goal and the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. If you give people insight into how you are going to make it happen, not just the aim, then you invite them to think about it, giving ownership and they will work towards it too. Collectively taking people on the journey with you.
A teamwork culture empowers people, treats them as the individuals that they are and values that, harnessing this power to work better. It means creating an environment where people have a voice and feel comfortable to ask questions, raise concerns and share ideas. Individuals need to be supported and be supported for who they are, and they should be encouraged to become the best that they can be.
Create a clear, shared vision. Not simply one that is issued from management team level, sit down with people, discuss it, and agree the vision together. That way not only do you get feedback from all angles and perspectives, but also people feel a connection to the plan. It’s all about communication and not being afraid to ask and openly discuss what is not going well. If there is nothing going wrong, you are not looking hard enough!
Add that to a safe environment where people are heard and valued, and you can bring together a diverse group of people with individual yet complementary strengths and set them up to succeed. At the heart is cooperation and collaboration.
Not only does a culture built upon teamwork build cohesion and efficiency, but it also fosters innovation. A successful teamwork culture fosters diversity of thought, a can-do attitude and creativity, strengthening problem-solving and helping make better decisions, faster.
Furthermore, it provides learning opportunities, individually and collectively. Learning from their own mistakes and those of others when shared in a safe and supportive environment means fresh approaches, and new skills sets.
How to build a strong culture?
Teamwork needs to be an integral part of the DNA. It will only work if it is reflected in all that you do, your people, processes and culture. Walk the walk and talk the talk.
To create this there needs to be trust, excellent communication, and collaboration not only between all team members but all colleagues, managers and leaders. A sense that it is how we do things.
There needs to be a clear common goal, one that everyone understands and can strive for. Milestones can then be measured, contributions welcomed, and success achieved as a group. And when these goals are visible others can support them and contribute.
Diversity needs to be welcomed. It is where we find diverse and innovative solutions, and where we learn, which leads to better problem-solving, creativity and better results. Different views mean that you question any assumptions and bias, addressing stagnation in your working practices and improving collaboration, not to mention agility and innovation. No idea or opinion is a bad idea (within boundaries, of course).
That safe environment I mentioned previously is one where people have the confidence to air concerns and share ideas, good or bad, without judgement or fear. And that goes for anyone within the business, without hierarchy or pre-conceived barriers associated with job titles. Everyone is unique and should be valued as such.
In empowering people to become the best that they can be, a teamwork culture celebrates people’s own unique perspectives and achievements. From an informal thanks to a formal recognition from a manager the individual is valued and appreciated. And when you have a team or company full of people who feel recognised, you are harnessing the true power of your people.
One last thing. And one that is so often overlooked is fun. One of Moneypenny’s founding principles was to create a place where people wanted to work. It is reflected in all that we do, from our quirky offices to following our own path, to our approach to our people. We are all human. We all need to smile, enjoy ourselves and know when to stop. Creating a space to build relationships at work but that aren’t all about work, benefits everyone. It fosters collaboration, trust and support.
Why is it important to build a culture of teamwork?
We often view teamwork in a confined context, such as for a specific project or team. What we should do is see it as a crucial element in establishing a strong organisational culture, one that serves as the foundation of a business. By fostering a better work environment, a place where people want to work, we can cultivate a workforce that is more engaged, works better, and is more efficient. Most importantly, when the entire business works together, it becomes a powerful force.
