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The key to becoming a successful team is a lot more than just finding people who are good at their job. While this is one factor, there are many other things that come into play. Think of a sports team that puts all their time and effort into being the best they can be to win the game—it doesn’t just happen overnight. Their accomplishments come from practice, motivation, communication, planning, trust, respect, positive reinforcement, constructive criticism and, most importantly, working together.
Think of your workplace as your own sports team. You may not be shooting basketballs or running for the winning touchdown, but there are many similarities. All the factors that come into play for a sports team can be used for your own team at work! For me, the following three elements stand out the most.
Communication
Communication is key, right? Of course! Whether there’s a problem to be solved, a question to be answered, or just a general opinion to be shared, effective communication goes a long way in keeping the entire team on the same page. In my role as a virtual classroom producer, communication is incredibly important when troubleshooting an issue in a live session. Communicating with my teammates helps me solve the issue more quickly and gives me the peace of mind that we’ll be able to handle it together.
Respect
This one brings us back to our elementary school days when the teacher would say, “treat others the way you want to be treated.” It applied back then, and it still applies today. Regardless of the situation, be respectful of yourself and others in your team. For example, my teammates may butt heads about which strategy is best to approach a problem, but we defend our points respectfully. If you disagree with your teammate, try taking a few moments to assess the situation before giving your opinion.
Positivity
There are several ways to include positivity to your workday and it starts with attitude and language. Not only does this reflect who you are as a person, it will also influence others around you to do the same and make you more approachable. You don’t necessarily need to start each meeting or interaction with a rousing speech or a huddle but working together will come more easily when you radiate positivity. Positive energy can be contagious and will lead your team to success.
Being part of a team that works together, creates a positive environment, communicates well, and shows one another respect, will help put you on the path to success. What factors do you feel are key for creating a successful team?
Teams are an integral part of almost every organization. And the most productive teams learn and practice new skills together. So, bring your team together for an exclusive workshop and focus on the objectives that are most important to you!