From Labor Systems
Although teamwork is a key ingredient to productivity and profit, it is often overlooked in many industries, especially as co-workers compete against each other for new job titles and promotions. Even a talented and creative staff will struggle to produce acceptable results when they are only looking out for number one. If you are managing a staff of individual competitors, rather than a team of productive players, it is time to inspire some team spirit in the office place.
Bonding over Meals
It’s human nature to bond with those you eat with. If you have a staff member who always eats lunch at her desk with spreadsheets in front of her, she might be hardworking, serious about her job, and loyal to the company—but she probably isn’t connecting with her fellow teammates. Implement a new rule that your employees must take a real lunch break within a certain time period. Mingling, small talk in the break room, or lunch dates among co-workers will naturally happen and teamwork will evolve during the working hours.
Group Projects
A staff that doesn’t work well together may need some practice before they get it right. Come up with a creative, low-stress job that you can assign to small groups on a regular basis. You might ask them to create a new logo, work on the company webpage, or maintain a social media account for the business. Monitor their efforts to make sure the work is being delegated evenly and everyone is contributing and listening to new ideas.
Acknowledge Good Teamwork
Most managers already reward outstanding sales, great customer feedback, and new innovative ideas. If teamwork is important to your company, it should also be acknowledged. No act of good teamwork should go by without at least a simple thank you. When promoting staff members to a higher position, don’t forget to mention their stellar team spirit while discussing reasons for their advancement. This will not only encourage them, but it will also show other ambitious employees that teamwork is highly valued by their superiors.
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