team building meaning essay

Guide to Managing Human Resources
Section 3: Interaction in the Workplace
Chapter 14: Team Building

Team Building: Introduction

Team building is an ongoing process that helps a work group evolve into a cohesive unit. The team members not only share expectations for accomplishing group tasks, but trust and support one another and respect one another's individual differences. Your role as a team builder is to lead your team toward cohesiveness and productivity. A team takes on a life of its own and you have to regularly nurture and maintain it, just as you do for individual employees. Your Employee Relations Consultant can advise and help you.

With good team-building skills, you can unite employees around a common goal and generate greater productivity. Without them, you limit yourself and the staff to the effort each individual can make alone.

The Psychology of Teamwork: 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teams

These are the outcomes of working as a team, whether in business or on the sports field. Yet teamwork comes with its own set of challenges.

Would you like to know how to leverage the many benefits of teamwork?

Yet avoid its pitfalls, such as lack of communication, poor trust, and personality clashes among team members?

Then this article is for you, as we explore the psychology of teamwork and share actionable habits that can build highly effective teams.

Before you continue, we thought you might like to download our three Work & Career Coaching Exercises for free . These detailed, science-based exercises will help you or your clients identify opportunities for professional growth and create a more meaningful career.

This Article Contains:

The psychology of teamwork: what makes an effective team, 7 habits of highly effective teams, 2 real-life examples of effective teamwork, 10 barriers to teamwork, 10 team-building skills for successful teams, resources from positivepsychology.com, a take-home message.

Psychological theory, research, and models provide valuable insights and guidance into effective team building and maintenance in various workplace settings, including schools, hospitals, corporate offices, oil rigs, power plants, and the military (Salas et al., 2018).

Psychology has come a long way in understanding such complex groups—as recognized by a special issue on the “ Science of Teamwork ” in the American Psychological Association’s flagship journal American Psychologist in 2018.

Teams are vital and commonplace. Because of their prevalence and impact, “our safety, security, comfort, and innovation depend on good teamwork and collaboration” (Salas et al., 2018, p. 593).

Innovation is often the result of constant communication and side-by-side work and takes place “when collaboration translates each person’s creativity into group genius” and conflict is avoided (Sawyer, 2007, p. 13).

But then, what are teams exactly, and how do we define them?

Teamwork definition

We must begin by understanding what defines a “group.” Within an organization, a group is more than simply a collection of people. Members recognize themselves as a social entity that (Davenport, 2009):

Interacts with each of its members
Is psychologically aware of each of its members
Perceives itself as a group

And yet, teams go further. They share a common goal. With the modern workplace demanding successful partnering across functional and geographical divides, fostering collaborative team working cultures becomes increasingly vital (Davenport, 2009).

Therefore, an effective team has the following attributes (Davenport, 2009):

Clear understanding of the team’s objectives and goals
Range of skills and know-how among team members to handle tasks effectively
Variety of personality types and strengths among its team members
High degree of respect and trust, both individually and for each other’s contributions to team performance
An effective recognition and reward system

The points above are helpful because they enable us to distinguish between people working together in groups and those forming effective teams.

When considered together, it’s possible to arrive at the following teamwork definition: “Teamwork can be defined as the ability of team members to work together, communicate effectively, anticipate and meet each other’s demands, and inspire confidence, resulting in a coordinated collective action” (Salas & Cannon-Bowers, 2001, extract).

And a definition of team building might arise as follows:

“Team building is an ongoing process that helps a work group evolve into a cohesive unit. The team members not only share expectations for accomplishing group tasks, but trust and support one another and respect one another’s individual differences” (Team building: Introduction, n.d., para. 1).

Understanding the psychology of group dynamics

“We know what effective teams do, think, and feel. We know what influences team dynamics, and some interventions that help develop teamwork” (Salas et al., 2018, p. 593).

Psychological research has confirmed that the following elements are the minimum prerequisites for an effective team:

Strong team leadership
Role clarity
Mutual trust
Sound information exchange protocols
A compelling reason to be a team

Team psychology in the workplace

Several psychological and organizational models and frameworks have grown out of the need to understand and explain how teams form, grow, develop, maintain, and change in the workplace.

The following three early models are valuable for our current understanding of how effective teams evolve (Davenport, 2009).

Bass and Ryterband’s model

Bass and Ryterband’s (1979) model of team development includes four stages and areas of focus:

First stage: Building trust among team members
Second stage: Open communication, problem-solving, and decision-making
Third stage: Motivation and productivity of the team
Fourth stage: Control and organization where members can work independently

Woodcock’s model

Woodcock’s (1979) model of team development also has four stages:

The undeveloped team: Unclear objectives, established policies, and a lack of shared understanding prevail. Mistakes are used to blame others.
The experimenting team: The team is willing to take risks and includes more active listening and short periods of group introspection.
The consolidating team: The team adopts a systematic approach. Rules and procedures are agreed upon, and improved relationships and methods from the previous stage are maintained.
The mature team: The team achieves high flexibility and appropriate leadership for different situations, and prioritizes development for continued success. Trust, openness, honesty, cooperation, confrontation, and reviewing results become the norm.

Tuckman’s model

Tuckman’s (1965) model of team development includes five stages:

Forming During the initial stage, team members come together. They may be anxious and unsure, and there are few rules.
Storming This is the stage of disagreement, including frustration and potential confrontation, where team members are more confident to express themselves and challenge each other.
Norming This is when group identity, guidelines, and norms are established. Emotions are expressed constructively.
Performing The team has created structure and cohesiveness to work effectively and can now concentrate on achieving its objectives.
Adjourning In this final stage, the team reflects on their time together and may disband.

Sports psychology

As with individuals, team performance in sports can benefit from time spent building psychological capital , which comprises four key elements (Luthans et al., 2015):

Self-efficacy

Furthermore, according to positive psychology consultant and performance coach John Yeager, sports teams collectively benefit from coaching focused on each element to build the psychological capital required to boost their combined performance.

Once achieved, they “maintain a healthy culture and find an effective balance between holding athletes accountable and supporting each other” (Yeager, 2021, p. 223).

Recommended read: Positive Psychology in the Workplace

Keith Sawyer (2007, p. 13), a psychologist at Washington University, says that his research shows “the secret to understanding what makes a collaboration successful lies inside the box, in moment-to-moment interactional dynamics.”

This understanding led him to rethink group innovation and creativity, identifying the following seven key characteristics (or habits) of effective, creative teams along with suggested actions for moving innovation forward (Sawyer, 2007):

Innovation emerges over time. Successful innovation requires its members to combine the right ideas in an appropriate structure, bit by bit.

ACTION: Encourage team members to take time each day/week to brainstorm and share new ideas and establish a structure for combining and building on those ideas over time .

Successful collaborative teams practice deep listening. Team members often spend too much time planning what they will say and how to respond in meetings and too little time listening to and observing others.

ACTION: Prioritize active listening and observation during team meetings and discussions. And provide opportunities for team members to practice deep listening skills .

Team members build on their collaborators’ ideas. Through deep listening, team members take on and evolve each idea further.

ACTION: Recognize the potential of other team members’ ideas and accept the importance of collective ownership to drive forward problem-solving .

Only afterward does the meaning of each idea become clear. While it’s tempting to attribute an idea to one person, its full importance results from being taken up, reinterpreted, and applied by the whole team. “Participants are willing to allow other people to give their action meaning by building on it later” (Sawyer, 2007, p. 15).

ACTION: Emphasize the importance of evolving and adapting ideas as a team, rather than attributing them to one individual .

Surprising questions emerge. “The most transformative creativity results when a group either thinks of a new way to frame a problem or finds a new problem that no one has noticed before” (Sawyer, 2007, p. 16).

ACTION: Encourage team members to question assumptions and think outside the box by regularly posing surprising or unconventional questions during meetings and discussions .

Innovation is inefficient. Improvised innovation will make more mistakes, but it can be phenomenal when the team gets a hit.

ACTION: Recognize that innovation can be inefficient and messy but emphasize the potential for breakthroughs .

Innovation emerges from the bottom up. Teams start with the detail, improvise innovation, then work up to the big picture.

ACTION: Foster a bottom-up approach to innovation, starting with small details and building toward the bigger picture .

While all seven are characteristics of an effective team, they are also actionable tasks within the process where team members play off each other (Sawyer, 2007).

17 More Work & Career Coaching Exercises

These 17 Work & Career Coaching Exercises [PDF] contain everything you need to help others find more meaning and satisfaction in their work.

Created by Experts. 100% Science-based.

The following are two high-profile examples of the immense potential of effective teamwork, especially when the stakes are high (Keup, 2022; Allen, 2022).

One giant leap for humankind

The Apollo 11 mission in 1969 is a prime example of teamwork at its finest.

While the world celebrated the achievement of Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins, the success of the mission resulted from the efforts of a much larger team.

The mission planners, scientists, engineers, and technicians, numbering around 400,000, worked tirelessly for years to make the moon landing a reality. The team’s cohesion was strengthened by the astronauts’ close collaboration with these groups, emphasizing the importance of human connection in any team.

Prefer Uninterrupted Reading? Go Ad-free.

Get a premium reading experience on our blog and support our mission for $1.99 per month.

✓ Pure, Quality Content

✓ No Ads from Third Parties

✓ Support Our Mission

Wikipedia is the epitome of teamwork in the digital age. It’s a collaborative engine of knowledge that is constantly evolving, thanks to the efforts of an army of volunteer writers and editors.

Unlike traditional encyclopedias, Wikipedia is constantly updated and open to debate and challenge, making it a dynamic and accurate source of information.

While the scale of this teamwork is almost incomprehensible, the site runs smoothly, with errors quickly discovered and corrected. Everyone who has landed on the site is considered a part of the team, making Wikipedia a perfect example of how teamwork can achieve great things in the digital age.

5 Traits of high performing teams

Understanding what stops or limits individual and group performance can help us build and maintain motivated, resilient, and highly effective teams.

The following 10 barriers can present themselves in real-world team environments (Haas & Mortensen, 2016):

Poor understanding of roles and responsibilities Team members may not fully understand their roles and responsibilities, leading to confusion and lack of accountability.
Insufficiently defined goals and objectives Team members may not clearly identify what they are working toward, leading to uncertainty and lack of motivation.
Poor decision-making processes Teams may lack effective decision-making techniques and strategies, leading to delays and suboptimal outcomes.
Resistance to change Team members may resist change, leading to a lack of flexibility and stagnation.
Lack of accountability and ownership Team members may not feel accountable for their work and the team’s success.
Lack of resources or support Teams may not have the necessary resources and support from leadership to achieve their goals effectively.
Inadequate leadership Teams may not have effective leadership, leading to a lack of direction and guidance.
Groupthink Team members may be reluctant to challenge the opinions and ideas of others, leading to poor decision-making and an absence of creative thinking.
Lack of trust and psychological safety among team members Team members may be hesitant to share their ideas and concerns due to a lack of trust in their colleagues or fear of being judged and rejected.
Inadequate communication Team members may not be effectively communicating with each other, leading to misunderstandings and conflicting priorities.

Clear communication Encourage team members to speak openly and honestly and actively listen to one another’s ideas and perspectives. Provide training and resources to help team members improve their communication skills.
Trust and accountability Create an environment where team members feel safe to take risks and be vulnerable with one another. Hold team members accountable for their actions and decisions and provide them with the support and resources they need to succeed.
Adaptability and flexibility Encourage team members to be open to new ideas and ways of working. Be willing to pivot and change course when necessary.
Emotional intelligence Provide training and resources to help team members better understand and manage their own emotions and those of others.
Active listening Encourage team members to fully engage, pay attention to what others are saying, and respond thoughtfully.
Conflict resolution Teach team members how to navigate and resolve conflicts constructively and effectively.
Goal alignment Ensure that individual goals align with the team’s overall objectives and that everyone works toward a common purpose.
Delegation Teach team members how to assign tasks and responsibilities to one another effectively to maximize their strengths and capabilities.
Problem-solving Teach team members how to identify problems and develop practical solutions.
Empowerment and autonomy Give team members the freedom and support they need to take ownership of their work and make decisions. Provide regular feedback and coaching to help them improve their skills and advance in their careers.

We have many practical resources for you as a manager or leader supporting your team as they form, develop, and attempt to avoid some challenges of group dynamics.

Our free resources include the following:

GROW model Use the power of the GROW model to define team goals and boost motivation and cohesion.
Do the Hula In this novel and fun exercise , the group learns the value of team cooperation.
Stepping Forward Use this activity to begin and end team building by clarifying expectations for the day.

Our Emotional Intelligence Masterclass© helps boost teamwork by teaching staff to handle emotions better. The training improves communication, relationships, decision-making, job satisfaction, motivation, and overall wellbeing. It also enhances the emotional intelligence of the coach, making them better equipped to lead teams.

The Positive Relationships Masterclass© strengthens teamwork using the “Six Pillars of Positive Relationships.” It offers practical techniques to enhance communication and maintain healthy relationships, leading to improved coaching skills and a thriving workplace.

You will learn the key aspects of positive relationships and explore science-based ways to categorize the different types of positive network members and grow social capital.

Not only that, but we also have specific articles that delve into team-building topics; for example:

15 Communication Exercises and Games for the Workplace
Active Listening: The Art of Empathetic Conversation
The Importance, Benefits, and Value of Goal Setting

And lastly, if you’re looking for more science-based ways to help your team develop their strengths, check out this collection of 17 strength-finding tools . Use them to help others better understand and harness their strengths in life-enhancing ways.

Research in the psychology of teamwork has shown that effective collaboration can lead to improved productivity, creativity, and job satisfaction among team members (Sawyer, 2007; Salas et al., 2018).

When teams experience a sense of belonging and purpose in their work, they are more likely to achieve their goals and be motivated to perform at their best. It can also lead to improved organizational outcomes, such as achieving goals, making better decisions, and providing higher levels of customer service.

Great teamwork relies on successful team building—the process of creating a cohesive, high-performing team capable of working together successfully. Effective team building can reduce conflicts, turnover, and absenteeism among its members by fostering a positive culture and improving overall morale.

As a manager, you can encourage the best out of your teams by creating a supportive and inclusive environment, encouraging clear communication, and promoting trust, accountability, and active listening.

Additionally, you can provide training and resources to help team members develop the skills they need to work well together, such as problem-solving, conflict resolution , and emotional intelligence. In our resources section, we provide a recommended selection of free and paid resources—all well worth it to build your own highly effective team.

We hope you enjoyed reading this article. Don’t forget to download our three Work & Career Coaching Exercises for free .

Allen, V. (2022). Teams that changed the world . WorkStyle. Retrieved January 20, 2023, from https://www.workstyle.io/top-performing-team-case-studies.
Bass, B. M., & Ryterband, E. C. (1979). Organizational psychology (2nd ed.). Allyn & Bacon.
Boogaard, K. (2022). 7 essential teamwork skills . Work Life by Atlassian. Retrieved January 23, 2023, from https://www.atlassian.com/blog/teamwork/teamwork-skills-accelerate-career/amp
Davenport, H. (2009). Groups and teams. In I. Brooks (Ed.), Organisational behaviour: Individuals, groups and organisation (pp. 111–155). Essay, Pearson.
Haas, M., & Mortensen, M. (2016). The secrets of great teamwork . Harvard Business Review. Retrieved January 20, 2023, from https://hbr.org/2016/06/the-secrets-of-great-teamwork.
Keup, M. (2022). 9 inspirational teamwork examples . ProjectManager. Retrieved January 20, 2023, from https://www.projectmanager.com/blog/teamwork-examples.
Luthans, F., Youssef, C. M., & Avolio, B. J. (2015). Psychological capital and beyond . Oxford University Press.
Sawyer, K. (2007). Group genius . Basic Books.
Salas, E., & Cannon-Bowers, J. A. (2001). Teamwork and team training. In N. J. Smelser & P. B. Baltes (Eds.), International encyclopedia of the social & behavioral sciences (pp. 15487–15492). Elsevier.
Salas, E., Reyes, D. L., & McDaniel, S. H. (2018). The science of teamwork: Progress, reflections, and the road ahead. American Psychologist , 73 (4), 593–600.
Steps to building an effective team. (n.d.). Retrieved January 23, 2023, from https://hr.berkeley.edu/hr-network/central-guide-managing-hr/managing-hr/interaction/team-building/steps.
Team building: Introduction. (n.d.). Retrieved January 24, 2023, from https://hr.berkeley.edu/hr-network/central-guide-managing-hr/managing-hr/interaction/team-building/introduction.
Tuckman, B. W. (1965.) Development sequence in small groups. Psychological Bulletin , 63, 384–399.
Woodcock, M. (1979). Team development manual . Gower.
Yeager, J. (2021). The coaching zone: Next level leadership in sports . Yeager Leadership Press.

Share this article:

Article feedback

What our readers think.

interesting and well organized food for thought

Some practical examples of effective teams- Love the 7 habits links

Nice article, thank you! Well, I think a strong team consists of strong individuals that are aware of their impact on the company.

Very helpful with the work I do dealing with grief counseling.

Going to use with my sporting team as a new coach

Let us know your thoughts Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Company Culture: How to Create a Flourishing Workplace

Company culture has become a buzzword, particularly in the post-COVID era, with more organizations recognizing the critical importance of a healthy workplace. During the Great [...]

Integrity in the Workplace (What It Is & Why It’s Important)

Integrity in the workplace matters. In fact, integrity is often viewed as one of the most important and highly sought-after characteristics of both employees and [...]

Neurodiversity in the Workplace: A Strengths-Based Approach

Promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace is a priority for ethical employers who want to optimize productivity and leverage the full potential [...]

Download 3 Free Work & Career Tools Pack (PDF)

By filling out your name and email address below.

Email Address *
Your Expertise * Your expertise Therapy Coaching Education Counseling Business Healthcare Other
Name This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Download 3 Work & Career Exercises Pack (PDF)

Organizational Behaviour
Team Building

Team Building - Meaning, Exercises and its Need

When individuals with similar interest, attitude, and taste come together to work for a common objective, a team is formed. Every individual contributes equally and performs his level best to meet the team targets and achieve the organization’s goal.

Team members strive hard to live up to the expectations of others and successfully accomplish the assigned task. A team cannot do well unless and until each and every member is focused and serious about his responsibilities. For every team member, his team should come first and everything else later. Personal interests must take a backseat.

Every individual must feel motivated to perform his level best. Never impose things on anyone; instead, the individuals must take the initiative on their own. They should come forward and accept the challenge.

Let us go through the below example:

Mike and Jordan were reporting to Steve - their team leader. Steve had a tremendous faith on Mike and Jordan, always appreciated them in front of others and even went out for dinners with his team. His team was way ahead of the other teams and never fell short of their targets. Steve was the most admired team leader.

Steve never had to convince Mike and Jordan to take up any new responsibility; they were always on their toes and accepted new assignments willingly.

Why do you think Mike and Jordan were always eager to work ? The answers to this question are the various efforts which their team leader took to motivate and extract the best out of them. This explains team building.

What is Team Building?

Team building refers to the various activities undertaken to motivate the team members and increase the overall performance of the team . You just can’t expect your team to perform on their own. A motivating factor is a must. Team Building activities consist of various tasks undertaken to groom a team member, motivate him and make him perform his best.

We all are human beings and love appreciation. Any individual performing exceptionally well must be appreciated well in public. He feels happy and motivated to perform even better the next time. If any team member has come out with a unique idea; treat him with any thing that makes him happy. Never criticize any team member or demotivate him if he has failed to perform. Ask him to “Buck up”.

Team Building Exercises

Let us throw some light on some team building execises.

Need for Team Building - Why Team Building ?

Team Building activities are of utmost importance as they help in the overall development of the team members and in turn improving the team’s performance. It also strengthens the bond among the employees and they feel motivated to work and achieve the targets. Some kind of team building activities must be undertaken from time to time to encourage the team members to work hard and realize their dreams.

Role of a Team Leader
Team Failures - Why teams fail ?
How to be a Effective team player
Team Building Tips
Tips to be a Good Team Member

View All Articles

Authorship/Referencing - About the Author(s)

The article is Written and Reviewed by Management Study Guide Content Team . MSG Content Team comprises experienced Faculty Member, Professionals and Subject Matter Experts. We are a ISO 2001:2015 Certified Education Provider . To Know more, click on About Us . The use of this material is free for learning and education purpose. Please reference authorship of content used, including link(s) to ManagementStudyGuide.com and the content page url.

Understanding Team
Team Development - Introduction
Team Management
Team Management Skills
Characteristics of a Good Team
Team Models
Types of Teams
Importance of a Team
Importance of Team Building
Team Contracts
Building an Effective Team
Success Factors in Team Building
Extracting the best from a Team
How to build Your Best Team
Clarity of Roles in a Team
Preventing Fall Outs in a Team
Role of Communication in Team
Role of Motivation & Attitude in Team
Team Building - Introduction
Team Building Games & Activities
Team Building Barriers
Skills and Qualities of a Team Member
Effective Team Building Strategies that can be Implemented by any Organization
What Team Building Strategies Must Focus on to be Effective in Actualizing Outcomes
Difference Between a Team and a High-Performance Team
Types of Team Members in a High Performance Team
Ten Important Characteristics of High-Performance Work Teams
What Makes High-Performance Teams Standout
Essential Steps Involved in Building High-Performance Teams
Strategies for Improving Communication in High-Performance Teams
Importance of Effective Communication in Building High-Performance Teams
Leaders Role in Building High-Performance Teams
Emotional Intelligence for High-Performance Teams
Common Barriers to the Successful Functioning of High-Performing Teams
Role of HR in Facilitating and Developing High-Performance Teams
Team Management in Agile and Automated Organizations
Team Management in the #MeToo Era: Actualizing a Discrimination Free culture

What Is Team Building?

Definition and Examples of Team Building

Vadym Pastukh / Getty Images

Job Search Resources
Hiring Best Practices
Employment Law
Employee Motivation
Employee Management
Management Careers
Management & Leadership
Employee Benefits

Susan Heathfield is an HR and management consultant with an MS degree. She has decades of experience writing about human resources.

Team building is the process of turning a group of individual contributing employees into a cohesive team —a group of people organized to work together to meet the needs of their customers by accomplishing their purpose and goals .

Learn more about effective methods for team building and activities you can use.

Team building creates stronger bonds among the members of a group. The individual members respect each other and their differences and share common goals and expectations.

Team building can include the daily interaction that employees engage in when working together to carry out the requirements of their jobs. This form of team building is natural and can be assisted if the group takes the time to come up with a set of team norms . These norms help group members know how to appropriately interact on the team and with the rest of the organization.

Team building can also involve structured activities and exercises led by team members. Or, with the proper budget and goals, managers can contract out for facilitation with an external resource . External facilitation by an experienced person can give your team building a boost.

The bonds formed from team-building will enable employees to accomplish the work and goals of your organization more effectively than a non-bonded group. Keep your focus on team-building opportunities that lend themselves to the accomplishment of the actual work of the team.

How Does Team Building Work?

Often the team leader or manager will facilitate a series of meetings at which employees get to know each other and develop cohesive working relationships.

In a larger organization, organization development staff can lead the team-building sessions. Many human resources practitioners are also comfortable leading team-building sessions. And with a little practice, teams can use another employee to facilitate their group's session.

But team building doesn't always have to have a facilitated meeting to accomplish the goal of a cohesive team. You can build your teams by structuring activities and fun events that team members can do together.

Ideas for Team-building Activities

For example, you could start with a department picnic, using a couple of hours during the workday to visit a nearby park. Grill some food and suggest that employees bring a dish to pass.

The goal is that you gather together to share some quality talking time over the meal. If employees take their lunches to their individual offices to eat alone, it defeats the goal of team building.

You can also sponsor activities where employees get together for fun. Bowling, painting pictures at a painting shop, river cruises on a passenger boat, comedy club outings, and baseball games all fit the bill. Really, any event that your team can do or attend as a group will help bond them.

Events that are physically challenging, such as rock climbing and ropes courses, can cause dread and fear for physically inactive or challenged employees. So, for team building, stay away from the type of event that some employees would be unable to participate in comfortably and without trepidation.

The best team-building activities are inexpensive, fun, and effective—not to mention local and easy to do.

Using External Facilitation

When using an external facilitator for team building, groups can participate in structured activities that are designed to help the employees coalesce into an effective team. Generally, the facilitator works with a group of employees to design team-building activities or sessions.

You will find these team-building activities most effective when they are customized to the needs of your group. Generic team building can have a positive impact, but it is nowhere near as impactful as a customized event.

These sessions can include icebreakers , discussion topics, games, cooperative assignments, and group brainstorming . The role of the external facilitator in these events is to help you reach your goals. Make sure the event is integrated into your everyday work so the results continue following the event.

Key Takeaways

Team building is the process of strengthening bonds between members of a group for the purpose of more efficiently achieving the group's goals.
Activities that promote team building can be as informal and casual as a shared meal, or as formally structured as a session led by a facilitator.
Successful teams can be more productive than individual contributors.

Work Life is Atlassian’s flagship publication dedicated to unleashing the potential of every team through real-life advice, inspiring stories, and thoughtful perspectives from leaders around the world.

Contributing Writer

Work Futurist

Senior Quantitative Researcher, People Insights

Principal Writer

Our State of Teams 2024 report is live! Check it out here .

The importance of teamwork (as proven by science)

Healthy teams enjoy benefits that go far beyond the company’s bottom line.

Get more stories like this in your inbox

5-second summary

Research shows that collaborative problem-solving leads to better outcomes.
People are more likely to take calculated risks that lead to innovation if they have the support of a team behind them.
Working in a team encourages personal growth, increases job satisfaction, and reduces stress.

Anyone who thought the rise of distributed work would be the downfall of teamwork has probably changed their tune by now. The truth is, teamwork is more important than ever.

“The use of teams and collaboration expectations have been consistently rising,” says Dr. Scott Tannenbaum , a researcher and president of the Group for Organizational Effectiveness. “And when I say teams, I’m talking about all types of teams, whether it’s stable work teams [or] teams that now, in the current environment, are operating virtually.”

Teamwork is essential to a company’s success, says John J. Murphy, author of Pulling Together: 10 Rules for High-Performance Teamwork . “Each individual has unique gifts, and talents and skills. When we bring them to the table and share them for a common purpose, it can give companies a real competitive advantage.”

But here’s the real magic of teamwork: when done right, it has benefits that go far beyond boosting the company’s bottom line. (Learn about some classic models that can lead to stronger teamwork here .)

10 benefits of teamwork

1. teamwork enables better problem solving.

How to avoid groupthink on your team

Albert Einstein gets all the credit for discovering the theory of relativity, but the truth is that he relied on conversations with friends and colleagues to refine his concept. And that’s almost always the case.

“Behind every genius is a team,” says Murphy. “When people play off each other’s skills and knowledge, they can create solutions that are practical and useful.”

Science reinforces the idea that many brains are better than one. “We found that groups of size three, four, and five outperformed the best individuals,” says Dr. Patrick Laughlin a researcher at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. “[We] attribute this performance to the ability of people to work together to generate and adopt correct responses, reject erroneous responses, and effectively process information.”

Not everyone processes information in the same way. Some people like to jump into problem-solving mode immediately, while others prefer time to gather their thoughts and consider multiple options before making a contribution. Asking people to provide input asynchronously allows everyone the space to work in a way that’s comfortable for them.

2. Teamwork unlocks potential for innovation

According to Frans Johansson, author of The Medici Effect , some of the most innovative ideas happen at “the intersection” – the place where ideas from different industries and cultures collide.

“Most people think success comes from surrounding yourself with others that are like you,” says Johansson. “But true success and breakthrough innovation involves discomfort. Discomfort pushes you to grow. This is where difference of experience, opinion, and perspective come in. Diversity is a well-documented pathway to unlocking new opportunities, overcoming new challenges, and gaining new insights.”

Better together: 8 essential teamwork skills to master

A recent report from the consulting firm McKinsey & Company backs this up. It found teams made up of members from diverse backgrounds (gender, age, ethnicity, etc.) are more creative and perform better by up to 35 percent, compared to more homogeneous teams. Instead of looking at an issue from your individual vantage point, you get a 360-degree picture, which can lead to an exponential increase in ideas.

Research from Tufts University suggests that just being exposed to diversity can shift the way you think. A study on a diverse mock jury found that interacting with individuals who are different forces people to be more open minded, and to expect that reaching consensus will take effort.

3. Teamwork makes for happier employees

As part of our ongoing research on teamwork, we surveyed more than 1,000 team members across a range of industries and found that when honest feedback, mutual respect, and personal openness were encouraged, team members were 80 percent more likely to report higher emotional well-being.

Having happy employees is a worthwhile goal in itself, but the company benefits, too. Research from the University of Warwick in England suggests happy employees are up to 20 percent more productive than unhappy employees. And who couldn’t benefit from a happiness boost?

4. Teamwork enhances personal growth

Being part of a team can help you grow. “By sharing information and essentially cross-training each other, each individual member of the team can flourish,” says Murphy. You might discover new concepts from colleagues with different experiences. You can also learn from someone else’s mistakes, which helps you sidestep future errors.

You might even learn something new about yourself, says Dr. Susan McDaniel, a psychologist at the University of Rochester Medical Center and one of the guest editors of America Psychologist’s special edition on “ The Science of Teamwork .”

“We all have blind spots about our behaviors and strengths that we may be unaware of, and feedback from a team member can expose them,” she says. Recognizing these strengths and addressing the weaknesses can make you a better team member, and even a better person. “Maybe working in a team you’ll discover you could be a better listener. That’s a skill you can grow in, and then take home and use to improve your family interactions,” McDaniel points out.

5. Teamwork lowers the risk of burnout

6 ways to bounce back from burnout

A Gallup study of nearly 7,500 full-time employees found that 23 percent of employees feel burned out at work very often or always. Another 44 percent say they sometimes feel this way. What helps? Sharing the load.

Team members can provide emotional support to each other because they often understand the demands and stress of completing work even better than managers, says Ben Wigert, lead researcher for Gallup’s workplace management practice.

And managers are not off the hook! The study also found that knowing your boss has your back protects against burnout too.

6. Teamwork gives opportunities for growth

Collaboration in the workplace isn’t unlike teamwork on the baseball diamond. When the pitcher and outfielders each excel at their individual roles, the team has a better chance of winning.

Off the playing field, that idea is more important than ever. Changes in technology and increased globalization mean that organizations are facing problems so complex that a single individual simply can’t possess all the necessary knowledge to solve them, says Wigert. When team members use their unique skills to shine in their own roles, it creates an environment based on mutual respect and cooperation that benefits the whole group, notes Murphy.

7. Teamwork boosts productivity

Getting a pat on the back from the boss can boost an employee’s motivation, but receiving kudos from a team member may be even more effective.

The TINYpulse Employee Engagement and Organizational Culture Report surveyed more than 200,000 employees. Participants reported that having the respect of their peers was the #1 reason they go the extra mile at work.

8. Teamwork allows for smarter risk-taking

When you work alone, you might be hesitant to put your neck on the line. When you work on a team, you know you have the support of the entire group to fall back on in case of failure. That security typically allows teams to take the kind of risks that create “Eureka!” ideas.

But here’s one place where size does matter. The most disruptive ideas often come from small teams, suggests recent research in the journal Nature , possibly because larger teams argue more, which can get in the way of coming up with those big ideas.

Wharton Business School researchers also discovered that small is the secret to success: they found that two-person teams took 36 minutes to build a Lego figure while four-person teams took 52 minutes to finish — more than 44 percent longer.

There’s no definitive ideal small team size, but consider following Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos’ two-pizza rule : no matter how large your company gets, teams shouldn’t be larger than what two pizzas can feed.

9. Teamwork yields fewer mistakes

If your team has good energy – you encourage and inspire each other, and you have fun together – you’ll feel less stressed, says Murphy. “Studies show that stress makes us stupid, and leads us to make more mistakes,” says Murphy.

Of course, the converse is also true: when your team feels less frazzled, you’ll make fewer errors. That’s worth keeping in mind, especially if you’re one of the 61 percent of workers who cite work as a significant source of stress .

10. Teamwork sparks creativity

Stale solutions often come out of working in a vacuum. When people with different perspectives come together in group brainstorms, on the other hand, innovative ideas can rise to the surface – with one caveat. Research shows this can only happen when communication within the team is open and collaborative, notes Wigert. The most creative solutions can only come up when there’s a level of trust that lets team members ask ‘stupid’ questions, propose out-there ideas, and receive constructive criticism.

Get stories like this in your inbox

Advice, stories, and expertise about work life today.

Vantage Rewards

A people first rewards and recognition platform to elevate company culture.

Vantage Pulse

An eNPS-based pulse survey tool that empowers HRs to manage the workforce better.

Vantage Perks

A corporate discounts platform with a plethora of exclusive deals and offers from global brands.

Vantage Fit

A gamified corporate wellness platform that keeps the workforce ‘Fit’ and rewards them for it.

Vantage Gifting

An all-in-one corporate gifting solution to delight your employees on every occasion & make them feel valued.

AIR e Consultation

AIR e program consultation to design and implement an authentic and impactful rewards and recognition program.

Vantage Onboarding

Customizable and budget-friendly joining kits to create a sense of belonging and make new hires feel at home

Integration

Seamless integration with your existing HCM/HRIS platform and chat tools.

Product Updates

Check out all the new stuff we are adding to our products to constantly improve them for better experience.

Blog

Influencers Podcast

Guides & eBooks

Webinars

Industry Reports

AIR e Framework

Vantage Rewards

Vantage Perks

Vantage Pulse

Vantage Fit

Vantage Gifting

An all-in-one corporate gifting solution to delight your employees on every occasion & make them feel valued.

AIR e Consultation

Vantage Onboarding

10 Reasons Highlighting The Importance Of Team Building

Teamwork makes the dream work.

You must have heard this phrase countless times. What does it mean? Simply that you can achieve your biggest obstacles if you have a team that shares a common goal and works together to achieve it. A team that works together performs and excels. They know what their purposes are and how exactly they can go about achieving it- together.

As Andrew Carnegie rightly said, “...It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.”

In addition, I would like to highlight what leaders worldwide have to say about team-building. Here is what James Rehm , CEO of Skuuudle, pointed out on the effectiveness of good team-building.

Turning tasks into competition can increase motivation and productivity. Team building exercises foster healthy competition, improves teamwork, problem-solving, communication, and other skills. These activities provide opportunities for employees to interact and learn from other teams.

Therefore, I am going to delve deeper into the importance of team building and how it translates directly to high-performing teams.

The Importance of Team Building

1. builds trust.

Trust plays an essential role in building effective teams. For teams to work together , they need to know they can trust each other. That they can fall back on each other if the need arises. Moreover, when you build trust among teams, they give each other space and autonomy to accomplish their tasks and make their own decisions.

Trust makes people feel safe. When they feel safe, they open up. They let their team members know about their strengths and weaknesses. They are more proactive with their ideas, take risks, listen to each other and then arrive at a consensus. As a result, there’s more collaboration, communication and team members aren’t afraid to expose their vulnerabilities to each other.

2. REGULATES COMMUNICATION

When employees work as a team, they communicate . They talk to each other about the task at hand and the best way to achieve the desired result. They strategize, divide themselves into smaller groups, hold discussions and try to finish the task in the most efficient manner. Communication also allows employees to understand their roles and what their peers are doing. When employees know what their team members are doing, they can check up on the progress made and help each other out if someone cannot reach their goal.

3. INCREASES PRODUCTIVITY

Teams share the workload. This means that if one member has relatively less work, she can help another team member complete their work. This allows the project to be finished faster, thereby increasing productivity and improving the overall bottom line.

The importance of team building is that it improves the individual's and the organization's productivity. Because individuals work in teams, they can pick up on new skills and sharpen their existing skills. This improves team performance , makes them efficient and over time, more work gets completed in less time. As a result, organizations can generate more revenue when they achieve their targets and deliver their best.

4. BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER

As Margaret Carty rightly said, “The nicest thing about teamwork is that you always have others on your side.”

One of the most important benefits of team building is that it improves interpersonal relationships between employees. When people work together, they share experiences and both failures as well as victories. It brings them closer and makes them trust each other. When team member A helps team member B, team member B is sure to return the favor at some point. Employees team up together to face adversaries and share the spotlight.

Similar Articles: List Of Best Icebreaker Questions For Work

5. FOSTERS CREATIVITY AND LEARNING

Successful team building motivates employees to learn from each other and build on each other’s talents. As compared to working solo on a project, teamwork allows room for fresh ideas and new perspectives. It brings together individual experiences combined with new, innovative ideas which makes the work more fun and efficient. As a result, everyone can bring something new to the table and learn from each other.

6. HEALTHY COMPETITION

It’s proven that when you make a task a competition, people achieve more. In the workplace, conducting team building activities can be a great way to bring out the competitive side of your employees. Team building exercises are fun games where employees participate in completing their challenges while competing with other games. The main objective of conducting these games to inculcate team spirit among employees, letting them work with other teams and acquire skills like problem solving, communication and collaboration along the way.

Related: 10 Best Virtual Team Building Activities for Remote Employees

7. MAKES PEOPLE MORE ACCEPTING

The race to achieve success should be equal. Everyone should be given the same importance, resources, and equal opportunities to reach their goals.

With workplaces becoming more inclusive towards cultural and gender diversity , your employees need to do their bit too. It is always a good idea to form teams with people from different ethnicities and backgrounds . Such groups are often more creative as they are more accepting and understanding of each other's differences. It makes them realize their preconceived judgment of an individual is completely wrong and that that team member is a lot of fun to work with.

8. RESOLVES CONFLICTS

When people work together, there are sure to be disagreements. It's up to team members to resolve the conflicts amicably and not let them turn into full-blown disputes.

But conflicts aren't always a bad thing. Conflicts can sometimes turn into constructive and valuable work. Disagreements, especially, might arise if people with diverse experiences are grouped rather than those with similar experiences. The key to resolving such conflicts is that people should be open to hear and accept diverse opinions and perspectives. If team members can group their diverse opinions, skills, and experiences, they can achieve more than a group formed on similar experiences.

Also read about Constructive Criticism for better employee engagement and performance.

9. EMPLOYEES CAN ACQUIRE SKILLS

Team building is important. It enables employees to learn from others and develop new skills. Working in a team helps employees take on leadership roles and see their team members fulfill their responsibilities. To perform and achieve their goal, they need to arrive at a consensus before making any decisions. This requires employees to hold discussions, communicate and actively listen to each other. Teamwork enables problem-solving capabilities, strategizing, and decision-making skills. It also teaches team members to hold responsibility and accountability for their decisions and actions.

Related Read: 10 Best Learning Experience Platforms

10. IMPROVES COMPANY CULTURE

When teams work together, it fosters creativity and innovation in the workplace. Employees communicate and collaborate more. This improves their performance and efficiency, resolves conflicts and misunderstandings and makes people more accepting towards each other. More people start getting recognised which motivates them and others to achieve more and better the next time. This improves the company’s overall bottomline and simultaneously fosters a positive and motivating workplace culture .

Recommended Read: 6 Proven Types of Team-Building Every Company Must Explore

This article is written by Shreya Dutta who is a content writer and marketer at Vantage Circle . She is passionate about all things literature and entrepreneurship. To get in touch, reach out to [email protected]

We safeguard your personal information in accordance with our Privacy Policy

7 practical tips for creating team building activities in 2023, communication games for teams: enhancing engagement and collaboration, 10 strategies to build team morale in the workplace.

50k+ Downloads by HR professionals across the Globe!

The Ultimate Guide to Employee Rewards and Recognition

5k+ Downloads by HR professionals across the Globe!

Home — Essay Samples — Life — Teamwork — Team Building: How Does It Work

Team Building: How Does It Work

Categories: Teamwork

About this sample

Words: 1618 |

Published: Dec 5, 2018

Words: 1618 | Pages: 4 | 9 min read

Types of commands, commands in the police, tuckman's method, peter honeys theory.

Divisional: Divisions in the police force are different sections of what they do. They are semi-autonomous from each other. An example of a divisional team would be the dog handling division. Divisions are formal teams of a large size that are usually permanent.
Departmental: Departments are similar to divisions. An example of a division would be the air support unit. Departments are medium sized and are also formal groups.
Sectional: Sectional groups, or sections are a subdivision of the police service. They are of a medium size and are also a formal group. An example of a section would be the mounted section of the metropolitan police force. Whilst they still work with the police force in general, they also work in a semi-autonomous manner, because they also have to cater for the needs of the horses, which the regular police do not take into account.

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Verified writer

Expert in: Life

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

2 pages / 694 words

2 pages / 1053 words

2 pages / 775 words

6 pages / 2883 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Teamwork

Group work is a common practice in academic settings, with many courses incorporating group projects and assignments as part of the curriculum. In this reflection paper, I will discuss my experiences with group work, the [...]

Determination is a multifaceted concept that transcends simple definitions and manifests in various forms and contexts. At its core, determination refers to the firmness of purpose, the resolve to achieve a goal despite [...]

Group work is a ubiquitous aspect of both educational and professional environments. It involves collaboration among individuals to achieve a common goal or complete a task. In this essay, we will explore the dynamics of group [...]

Undertaking missions is a crucial aspect of many organizations, whether they are non-profit, government, or corporate entities. Missions are defined as specific tasks or objectives that an organization sets out to achieve within [...]

What would come to students mind when they hear the team work at class or at university? Students may think that it is a bit of annoying or, for new comers it may seem as a disaster. Team work usually teaches students many [...]

Canada is an internationally known country with the long reputation for high quality of life with the growing number of citizens competing for limited resources, hence; making homelessness a reality. The main populations making [...]

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

Instructions Followed To The Letter
Deadlines Met At Every Stage
Unique And Plagiarism Free

Teamwork Essay for Students and Children

500+ words essay on teamwork.

Teamwork is working together of people to achieve a certain goal. Teamwork is the basic need for an organization to function. Furthermore, every organization has a division of several teams to perform specific tasks.

Without teamwork nothing is possible. Moreover, if any organization lacks teamwork. Then it will hamper its success rate. Thus the organization will fall. Also, it will affect the environment the people are working in.

Furthermore, the organization has a different hierarchy of teamwork. So that the workload gets divided. And each team has an expert who guides different team members with his prior experience

Hierarchy of Teamwork in an Organization

The organization has a division of three teams – Top Level, Middle Level, Lower Level

The Top Level: This team of the organization decides the goals of the company. Furthermore, they understand the need for different sectors of society. And makes policies to maximize the profit of the company. Moreover, it also works on the development of the company and its employees.

Every company has a certain goal in mind before making any policy. This part of the organization analyzes the goal. So that the company should be certain whether the approaching of this goal is profitable or not. For instance, this part of the organization consists of the Board of Directors , Chief Executive Officers Etc.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

The Middle Level: The middle level consists of the manager and the Supervisors . This team of workers focuses on the implementation of the policies made by the Top-level. Furthermore, the team assigns various tasks to the employee sector, so that they may work towards the goals of the company. Moreover, the Middle level inspects and keeps a regular check on their work.

In short, they bridge the gap between the top level and the middle level. In order to be a part of this team, a person should be qualified enough. Because this ensures that the person is having the knowledge of all the work he is assigning to the employees.

Only then the person would be capable enough to guide the lower level. Above all the main work is to meet the demands of the employee, so that the organization can work in a better way.

The Lower level: The Lower Level consists of the employees. They work on the tasks assigned to them by the Middle Level. The coordination of teamwork is much needed in the employment sector. As the need to submit each task within a period of time.

So that the organization may run smoothly. The base of the organization is the employment sector. As without them, the application of policies isn’t possible.

Importance of Teamwork

Teamwork has the greatest importance in any part of the world. Whether it be an organization or a small business. Teamwork is the key to success. In our schools, we play many sports that enlist teamwork.

Thus from our childhood only we knew about teamwork. Because our mentors understood the importance of teamwork. That is the reason they always guided us on the right path.

At last, the teamwork team generates a relationship between two people. As we all know that human is a social being, so it is beneficial for the environment of a person.

Q1. What is Teamwork?

A1. Teamwork is the working together of a group of people to accomplish a certain goal.

Q2. What is the importance of teamwork?

A2. Teamwork enlists a level of enthusiasm in a person. Moreover it essential to save time, as groups of people work on specific tasks. Which as a whole saves time to a higher extent. Also, it boosts the confidence of a person working in any organization.

Customize your course in 30 seconds

Which class are you in.

Travelling Essay
Picnic Essay
Our Country Essay
My Parents Essay
Essay on Favourite Personality
Essay on Memorable Day of My Life
Essay on Knowledge is Power
Essay on Gurpurab
Essay on My Favourite Season
Essay on Types of Sports

Download the App

Virtual Experiences
In-Person Experiences
Hybrid Experiences
Social Calendar [New]
Experience FAQ
Features & Benefits
How Pricing Works
Client Testimonials
Happiness Guarantee
Blog Articles
Video Library
View Experiences

Team Building Skills: Examples & Meaning

By: Angela Robinson | Updated: February 12, 2024

Here is our list of the most important team building skills .

Team building skills are capabilities that help leaders form interactive, supportive, and high-functioning teams. For example, problem solving, listening, and organizing are essential team building skills. The purpose of these skills is to support teamwork and team development.

These skills can be learned in team building books , by following team building examples , and by participating in team building games and team building problems .

This list includes:

team building skills examples
skills needed for team building
team development skills
team building soft skills

Alright, here is the list!

List of team building skills

From setting goals to matchmaking to organizing, here are key competencies that will help you form positive relationships and achieve great results.

1. Goal Setting & Role Assigning

I like to compare work projects with road trips. You hop in a car with four of your friends. You turn the ignition key. “Where are we going?!” you shout. Nobody says anything. Or, everybody starts shouting at the same time: the beach! the park! the zoo! Harry Styles’ house! Either way, none of you are leaving the driveway until everybody decides.

When managing a team, the project is the vehicle and your destination is an excellent result for the company. In order to get anywhere, everyone has to agree on an endpoint. As team leader, it is your responsibility to define a goal and map out a way to get everyone there.

How to set goals:

Start with a result and work backwards
Be specific
Choose measurable targets
Set deadlines
Track progress
Stay flexible
Discuss everything. Make all roles and goals public

Just like a successful road trip organizer designates a person to bring snacks, make a sweet mix of tunes, and check the air in the tires, a team leader assigns everyone a clear role. Choose an end goal for the whole team, but also specific goals for each team member.

You can make sure everyone knows and understands assigned responsibilities before you get going. The last things you want to hear mid-journey are, “I didn’t do that. I thought you were doing that?” or “Why are you doing that? I already did it.” Having clear roles and a clear end point in mind avoids confusion and increases harmony. Set the course, make sure everyone gets a seat, and enjoy the journey!

Learn more about company goal setting .

2. Communicating

I hope that one day, someone will invent a mind-reading software that instantly transmits one person’s thoughts to the rest of the group. Until then, communication skills are king when team building is concerned.

I equate poor team communication to a sports team trying to score a goal while running around the field in blindfolds. In this scenario, players scramble all over the field, hoping to get lucky and get the ball over the line or into the net by pure chance. If the participants did manage to score, then the players might be oblivious.

Similarly, when teammates fail to talk, team members handicap the group as a whole. Teamwork means every member contributes towards a common goal. Collaboration cannot occur if one part of the group has no idea what the other part is working on.

Teams should be able to communicate the following:

Responsibilities

Group members depend on each other. If team members do not clearly communicate, then teammates can hold up other parts of the team and make extra work for the others.

Working in a team means there are other people to bounce ideas off of and ask for help. If team members fail to communicate, then the team loses out on valuable teamwork benefits.

To encourage group communication, you can host regular meetings, create team channels, and use team building activities to build trust and sharing skills. For example, fun icebreaker questions can be a great way to connect with coworkers.

Here is a list of books to improve communication skills , and list of ways to do trust building at work .

Get our free team building toolbox

icebreaker games
bingo cards

3. Listening

Listening is one of the greatest team building skills you can develop. Talking and listening are equally important team traits. Without listening skills, teams just make a lot of noise, resembling a room full of vuvuzelas instead of a polished symphony.

How to practice active listening:

Be conscious of how much you are talking
Break the habit of interrupting
Repeat & paraphrase ideas to teammates
Ask for clarification
Ask follow up questions
Learn to listen “between the lines.” Pay attention to what is unsaid.

Lack of listening can lead to frustration. Employees who feel as if colleagues and leaders do not listen are likely to shut down. By acknowledging ideas and making efforts to understand, you can avoid later conflict.

To sharpen your team’s listening skills, you can play listening-centered team building games such as “Can you hear me now?” Also, be sure to step in and model good listening behaviors during meetings when others are focusing too much on talking.

4. Reflecting

Aristotle once said, “Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.” Thus, you cannot know your team if you do not know yourself.

When working in a team, you can take stock of your own strengths and weaknesses and learn to be honest about your missteps. While you do not have to broadcast your flaws, you should not hide or deny these defects. Leaders who try to minimize personal shortcomings while pointing out coworkers’ mistakes are hypocrites. No one wants to listen to criticism from a stubborn or defensive teammate. Instead, you can remain humble and open to reasonable critique. When you give feedback, you can let your own faults inspire empathy for others.

Individual self-awareness is important, but teams should be collectively self-aware. Just as you analyze yourself as part of the team, you can analyze the team as a whole. All teammates should take time to reflect on the team’s strengths and weaknesses. The group can re-evaluate capabilities whenever new members join the team. At the start of projects you can take stock of the team’s abilities and let your group awareness guide your work. At projects’ end, you can reflect on group achievements and brainstorm possible improvements.

Self-aware teams act with more integrity and speak more openly. Reflective teams are better equipped to avoid conflicts and reach compromises. Honest group assessment results in faster and more effective work and friendlier, more trusting team dynamics.

5. Matchmaking

I think that a great team leader is like a great cocktail host. Both hosts and leaders are expert connection-makers. If party hosts never introduced guests or encouraged attendees to mingle, then the party would get pretty boring. If a leader never fostered relationships between team members, then projects would fail.

The great host or team leader avoids this fate by planning talking topics, activities, and games that connect people. You can ensure team members have alternative support by fostering team bonds.

Matchmaking is one of the most essential interpersonal skills for team builders. A true master recognizes skills, traits, and patterns within teams, and links members together in winning combinations.

You may say, “That sounds like a lot of pressure. I’m no coworker cupid!” Relax. If you and your team are struggling to make connections, then you can use ice breakers to uncover similarities. Playing team building games is a great way to get teams to interact and find common ground.

Here is a list of connection games to play and here is a list of relationship building ideas .

6. Problem Solving

Teamwork skills focus on a group’s ability to achieve collective goals. Problem solving is an especially important teamwork skill. In the group setting, problem solving means discussing issues and brainstorming resolutions as a team.

When teams unite to tackle challenges, no one person bears the burden alone. All group members analyze a problem and propose solutions. Though one teammate may be tempted to take the reins and clean up the mess solo, teams should decide a course of action collectively. Team members share responsibility for the end result. It is only fair that everyone agrees upon a course of action.

Working together requires a lot of trust. Individual workers should know to reach out to the team for help.

Teamwork means being able to tap in to different skills and perspectives. There is no reason for a team member to struggle alone. A team is a great resource and support system. Encourage team members to brainstorm together. You can create a welcoming environment for questions and concerns and plan team building challenges to get teams used to solving problems as a group.

Here is a list of problem solving games to try, list of problem solving books to read, and you can also do team building puzzles .

7. Delegating

Delegating is a true collaboration skill. I have worked with many people who struggled to delegate. When I was a waitress, one of the cooks sprinted across the kitchen any time she saw me pouring my own salad dressing, shouting “let me do it!” I had an office coworker who let her inbox pile up every single day, until I asked at 4PM “would you like me to help with that?” On the flip side of it, one coworker asked me to take on tasks because she was too busy, only to immediately wander off and chat with other coworkers when I agreed.

Luckily, in these situations, managers stepped in to encourage a more equal workflow. In my coworkers’ defense, delegating is tricky. Some people take on too many responsibilities, while the opportunity to take it easy tempts others. A good leader steps in and makes sure everyone pulls equal weight. A great leader teaches teams to self-delegate.

You can delegate effectively by putting the group at the center of all tasks. I recommend explaining to all team members that individual actions affect the team at large. You can remind the work hogs that overextending could result in burnout, delays, and missed learning opportunities for other members of the team. Meanwhile, you can express to the work dodgers that the team depends on individual efforts.

You should assess team members’ skills and current workloads and assign tasks accordingly. You can allow team members some flexibility to claim projects. Discuss the workload as a group, and let team members divide the work evenly among the group. Be transparent about goals and expectations from the start.

Learn more about delating with skills for executives , and skills for leadership roles .

8. Giving & Getting Feedback

During my college writing workshop classes, the person sharing a piece was not allowed to speak until the workshop ended. Other classmates gave advice while the author stayed completely silent. This dynamic forced the writer to listen to and reflect on the feedback instead of forming an immediate comeback. This exercise did wonders for my ability to give and get workplace feedback.

Receiving feedback is not always a pleasant experience, but it is an essential one. We might not want to hear that we messed up or could do better, but we would not want to unknowingly annoy or hinder our team either. Honest evaluation gives us a chance to improve and grow, both as an individual and as a team member.

Giving and getting feedback allows us to mindfully design our perfect teams. As a team leader, you should encourage feedback. Instruct employees not to interrupt others giving feedback. Be certain to frame feedback as an opportunity to grow, not a judgment. Make sure everyone on the team has equal opportunities to give and receive feedback. If your team is still developing each other’s trust and is not yet ready to speak candidly, then you can always solicit anonymous feedback and deliver it to each employee in a tactful way.

9. Organizing

At times, leading a team can feel like herding cats. There are so many people and moving parts involved in a single project, that it can seem like an impossible task to get everybody on the same page.

Organizational skills are vital team building skills. Team members have different tasks, deadlines, and schedules, and things can easily fall by the wayside if nobody takes the reins.

When team building, take advantage of all the ordering tools at your disposal. Calendars are great coordinating tools. Thanks to cloud-based programs like Google Calendar, you can easily see your whole team’s calendar in a glance instead of trying to plan a meeting with one hundred phone calls or emails. Other tools like Slack and Trello are great ways to communicate and delegate tasks within teams.

Whatever structure you use, be sure to develop a system and stick to it. Communicate the system to the rest of the team so that everyone knows where to post and look for relevant information. Organizing may seem like an overwhelming task initially, but it will make the whole process much smoother and create a pleasanter experience for everyone on the team.

You can read project management books to improve this skill.

10. Resolving Conflict

If you follow the tips on the list, then chances are you are going to avoid a whole lot of friction. But sometimes, conflict is unavoidable. Thus, resolving conflict is still a necessary team building skill.

Disagreement is not always a bad thing. It often means your team is passionate and able to consider different angles. This perspective can lead to stronger and more well-informed results, but only if teammates can see eye to eye.

To resolve conflict, follow these the American Management Association’s five steps to conflict resolution :

Identify the root of the conflict.
Consider other contributing factors.
Brainstorm solutions.
Examine all parties’ needs/Compromise.
Agree on an outcome.

Many people think that great teams always agree, but that is not the case. Even the closest-knit teams occasionally differ. What makes these teams great is not avoiding conflict altogether, but handling it effectively when it arises.

Here is a list of activities to help resolve conflict and a list of books on conflict resolution .

Final Thoughts

Capable and creative teams all start with skilful leaders. This list includes just some of the skills for team building required to create fun and functional teams. Keep adding to your knowledge and you will start to see results.

Confident, competent, and considerate leaders impress colleagues and inspire teams to excel. Keep improving, and your teams are sure to improve too!

Next, check out our list of team building benefits , our summary of team building history , and this post on team building management .

We also have a list of the best tools for team building and a list of teamwork games .

Book wildly fun team building events with expert hosts

FAQ: Team building skills

Here are a few common questions and answers about team building skills.

What are team building skills?

Team building skills are the key competencies used to form productive and engaged teams. A skillful and able leader can unite individuals around a common goal and kindle strong relationships.

What are some important team building soft skills?

Important team building skills center around communication, organization, and critical thinking. Some specific abilities that help leaders form great teams are listening, delegating, and resolving conflict.

How do you get started with building skills for team building?

To start developing team building skills, pick a few skills to target first. Read what experts have to say and brush up on tips. Look for opportunities to practice and hone your skills at work.

How are team building skills different from teamwork skills?

Teamwork skills are qualities that help individuals function as part of a team. Team building skills are abilities that structure and nourish solid, able teams.

Author: Angela Robinson

Marketing Coordinator at teambuilding.com. Angela has a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and worked as a community manager with Yelp to plan events for businesses.

Get our free team building tool box

$49 value at no cost..

May as well check it out?
100+ tested icebreaker questions
24+ themed Bingo generators
5+ PDFs (including the 8% Rule)
2024 team building calendar and more...

Enter your email for instant access

Team Work in Management Essay

To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
As a template for you assignment

The fundamentals of managing organization and people

The thesis statement, power & conflict, leadership & teamwork, the importance of interpersonal relations, reference list.

While discussing the role of a working team in management activity, I would like to start from the fundamentals of management and organizational behavior. First of all, it is necessary to point out that management includes a set of activities, which are related to decision-making processes. To achieve certain aims the organization should use its resources. The basic resources the organization possesses are divided into human, financial, physical and information.

These resources increase the organization’s chances to succeed. Moreover, they help to achieve a purpose in an efficient way. Efficiency and effectiveness are the basic criteria management of the organization is to be based on. Efficiency means the organization is to work in such a way its resources couldn’t be wasted; while effectiveness means performing the right things in a proper way at a proper time.

Of course, the person who carries out the management process is also an important element of the organizational structure. Thus, a person, who makes right decisions, organizes and controls numerous aspects of the organization’s activity, is a manager. I would like to point out that a manager distributes the organization’s resources.

The basic areas management includes are marketing, finance, operations, human resources, administrations, etc. The levels the management includes are first-line managers, middle managers, and top managers.

First-line managers are responsible for operating employees. Middle management implements the instructions of the representatives of the highest level. Top managers develop numerous management strategies, and set the most important purposes. The managers are also divided according to the area they work in. Marketing managers work with the customers and clients.

The services and products the organization can offer are the primary points the managers are interested in. Financial resources are investigated by financial managers. Operations managers observe and control the ways the services and products are created. Human resource managers are mostly engaged in the employees’ training and development. Administrative managers work in functional areas.

Management process includes organizing (the primary questions are the ways the organization’s resources can be used); leading (the most important points are related to motivation strategies to influence the employees’ desire to do their best); controlling (the central issues are based on the process of controlling the organization’s activities, etc. in order to facilitate or improve the purpose attainment); and planning and decision-making (the primary point is the best way the aim can be achieved).

Planning includes the analysis of the environment, the perspectives’ investigation, developing long-term goals, and setting competitive strategies. Organizing involves identification of tasks, clarifying the responsibilities, scarce resources search, and work with skilled personnel.

The fundamental management skills are to be based on the abilities to understand the specific type of the task, to communicate with different persons, to think in the abstract or to think differently, to use analytical abilities, to resolve conflicts, to think strategically. A skilled manager should take the most appropriate decisions various situations require. To be a good manager means to see various opportunities and to determine the problems correctly.

The key managerial roles include the role of the leader, the role of the spokesperson, and the role of an innovator.

Motivation and personality are considered to be the key personal factors the managerial success depends on. On the other hand, the relations with subordinates belong to situational factor, which is also of primary importance. Appropriate actions and luck are other constituent parts of the managerial success.

Generally, management is the science, which investigates rational and logical ways to solve a problem or some contradictions. On the other hand, management is recognized to be an art, which is based on time-management skills and various organizational strategies.

There are numerous management theories, which describe the ways to run the organization. Descriptive management theories are considered to be the most appropriate and widespread. Management theories help to point out the most important aspects of the organization’s activity, and to understand what things or aspects are to be neglected. In most cases, the theories are derived from personal experience, interviews, or laboratory experimentations.

According to the department of Finance and Management Science of Washington State University (2012, p. 1): Management science represents a quantitative approach to solving problems in business. Management science practitioners apply a rich toolbox of mathematical and computer techniques to help make a wide variety of decisions such as the proper mix of products to produce, the number of tellers to employ at a bank, or the shortest travel route for a delivery truck to take.

Management is a science, which represents a set of activities to achieve certain organization’s goals. The success of management strategies depends upon numerous aspects, including the responsibilities of top managers, the distribution of the organization’s resources, etc. Team work is also one of the key points effective management is based on.

According to Susan G. Cohen and Diane E. Bailey (1997, p. 242), ‘Work Teams are the type of team most people think about when discussing teams. Work teams are continuing work units responsible for producing goods or providing services’. There are supervisors who direct such teams.

Thus, they decide what is produced, and in what way it is produced. There are also the so-called self-managing work teams. Telecommunication team is one of the examples. Quality and productivity improvement, and the costs reducing are the primary aims of self-managing work teams creating.

The effectiveness of the work team depends upon the relations between the members of the team as well as effective strategies, the manager or the supervisor is to provide the employees with. The basic points the effectiveness relies on are the workers’ attitudes, and behavioral outcomes.

‘Environmental factors, task design, group composition, organizational context, internal and external processes, and group psychological traits are the parts, which impact on the effectiveness of work teams’ (Cohen & Bailey, 1997, p. 244).

To create a strong work team, the manager should keep in mind numerous points. For instance, the manager must define the roles of the members the work team consists of. Thus, every member should perform his or her own task. For this reason, the manager is to choose skilled people, in order they could cope with various tasks. It is also rather important to know more about every member of the work team.

The manager is to be interested not only in the skills the employee possesses; there is a need to become familiar with the employee’s personality, his or special needs or expectations. Lynne Gaines and Adelaide Wilson (2004-2005, p. 1) say that the manager should ‘agree on a mission for his or her group . Getting broad participation in goal setting can help employees understand how their work contributes to the organization’s success’.

One of the most important basic strategies, the manager is to follow is to reward the team. Team relationships are extremely important. The members of the team can get together in a casual atmosphere and talk about mutual interests. Ground rules establishment is one of the key points the effectiveness of management strategies is based on.

One more important issue, all work teams are familiar with is a conflict. The obstacle is to be carefully considered, as it causes decreased productivity. According to the website Morgancc.edu (2007, p. 1), ‘Conflict arises from differences. When individuals come together in work teams their differences in terms of power, values and attitudes, and social factors all contribute to the creation of conflict’.

Generally, there are different approaches to the conflict. Thus, direct approach means a conflict is to be discussed objectively. Bargaining is a technique which main aim is to find a compromise. Enforcement of team rules is also one of the effective ways to resolve a conflict; however, it is better not to use the technique, as interpersonal relations can be spoiled.

If one of the members of the work team doesn’t want to cooperate with the rest, the enforcement can take place. It is usually applied to an individual. Retreat is another effective method, which main purpose is to avoid a conflict if the problem is not real, and one of the members should cool off. De-emphasis is another common technique, which is used to resolve some contradictions. In other words, it reminds of bargaining, but there are more ways to find a compromise.

The basic steps of team resolution process are collaboration, mediation, and team counseling. There are also the Five-P’s of Conflict Management, namely perceptions, problems, processes, processes, principles, and practices. The first category is based on persons’ negative perceptions, which cause the desire to resolve a conflict.

The problems define the complexity of the conflict. Processes are also based on resolving disputes. Principles define the priorities persons are to rely on when a conflict appears. Practices determine the most widespread ways to seek for an answer.

Another important point I want to highlight is the notion of Leadership and Team. Mitch McCrimmon (2008, p. 1) states:

Employees with leadership potential see team effectiveness as a leadership opportunity. They realize that they will achieve more by working through and with others, that they will get more done with the active support of colleagues. The organization’s future leaders take proactive steps to improve the effectiveness of their teams.

The leaders stimulate other employees to think differently. In most cases, the interpersonal relations depend upon the strategies the leaders develop. The key points of team building are interdependence, goal specification, cohesiveness, roles and norm and communication. Peter Scholters (1988, p. 1) is of the opinion that ‘People should feel a sense of worth and involvement, where their ideas are heard and their contribution is recognized’.

The team’s objectives must correspond to the abilities of the employees. Mutual respect and support are the issues the team’s operability depends on. Scholtes (1988, p. 1) affirms that ‘It is critical to realize that getting promoted at higher levels is a lot like getting elected and not many people will give their support to backstabbers or selfish colleagues’.

Cohen, S., & Bailey, D., 1997. What Makes Teams Work: Group Effectiveness Research from the Shop Floor to the Executive Suite. Web.

Gaines, L., & Wilson, A., 2004-2005. Teamwork: Tips for Managers . Web.

McCrimmon, M., 2008. Leadership and Teamwork. Web.

Morgancc, 2007. Resolving Conflict in Work Teams. Web.

Scholtes, P., 1988. Team Building. Coaching-life. Web.

Washington State University, 2012. What is Management Science? Web.

Creating and Managing Interpersonal Relationships in Business
Success in Interpersonal Communication
Healthy Interpersonal Relationship
Customer Service Representative
Customer Satisfaction and Employee Performance
Recording, Analyzing and Using Human Resource Information
Sales representative training
Call center practice cases
Chicago (A-D)
Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2018, October 31). Team Work in Management. https://ivypanda.com/essays/team-work-in-management/

"Team Work in Management." IvyPanda , 31 Oct. 2018, ivypanda.com/essays/team-work-in-management/.

IvyPanda . (2018) 'Team Work in Management'. 31 October.

IvyPanda . 2018. "Team Work in Management." October 31, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/team-work-in-management/.

1. IvyPanda . "Team Work in Management." October 31, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/team-work-in-management/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Team Work in Management." October 31, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/team-work-in-management/.

IMAGES

Essay on Teamwork
Essay Team Building
Write an Essay on Teamwork in English || Teamwork Essay in English || English Essay || GSV Education
Team Building essay
Essay on Teamwork for all Class in 100 to 500 Words in English
Importance of Teamwork Skills

VIDEO

Discovering Your Life's Purpose Building Meaning and Fulfillment
Bringing a whole new meaning to 'team-building activities'😂
#most important words meaning #20 daily use words meaning
Daily Use English Vocabulary # Shorts # trending shorts # grammar # Viral #
Building Meaning in Kannada
Punctuality l #shortsfeed #shorts #kajalmakwana

COMMENTS

The Importance of Team Building
So, team building is the key ingredient in aligning each individual's efforts toward organizational success. 4. Increased Productivity. Team building focuses more on collaboration, meaning team members will be more productive and execute tasks more efficiently when working collectively.
Team Building: Introduction
Team building is an ongoing process that helps a work group evolve into a cohesive unit. The team members not only share expectations for accomplishing group tasks, but trust and support one another and respect one another's individual differences. Your role as a team builder is to lead your team toward cohesiveness and productivity. A team ...
What Is the Purpose of Team Building?
Team building is a core process for many organizations that wish to efficiently meet their goals and build a company culture that benefits all employees. The team-building process teaches employees how to trust each other and work together to achieve common objectives. Understanding the purpose of team building and the importance of having ...
What is Team Building? How to Build Stronger, Cohesive Teams in 2023
A 2023 LinkedIn report revealed that the skills needed to excel in jobs have changed by about 25% since 2015—a number that's only expected to double by 2027. Depending on what your employees need, you may decide to focus on hard skills like sales or negotiation or soft skills like leadership and conflict resolution.
Team Building: Fostering Workplace Collaboration & Connection
Team building is defined as the ongoing process of using daily interactions, activities, exercises and other formalized strategies to organize a group of employees into a cooperative and cohesive group. By nurturing a sense of mutual trust, community and cooperation, team building aims to unite employees under shared goals.
Teamwork and Teambuilding: [Essay Example], 638 words
Conclusion. In conclusion, teamwork and effective teambuilding are essential for success in various fields. By understanding the definition and importance of teamwork, recognizing its advantages, embracing key elements of effective teambuilding, implementing strategies for building effective teams, and addressing challenges through appropriate solutions, teams can achieve optimal performance ...
Towards Effective Team Building in the Workplace
E mail: [email protected]. Abstract. Team building involves a wide range of activities, designed for improving team performance. Its aim is to bring out the. best in a team t o ensure self ...
The Psychology of Teamwork: 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teams
And a definition of team building might arise as follows: "Team building is an ongoing process that helps a work group evolve into a cohesive unit. The team members not only share expectations for accomplishing group tasks, but trust and support one another and respect one another's individual differences" (Team building: Introduction, n ...
Team Building
Team building refers to the various activities undertaken to motivate the team members and increase the overall performance of the team. You just can't expect your team to perform on their own. A motivating factor is a must. Team Building activities consist of various tasks undertaken to groom a team member, motivate him and make him perform ...
Team Building and Team Development
The stages of team development are formation state, storming, normalizing, performing and transforming stages. Each of these stages has a special challenge especially for a group of people who are struggling to function as a unit. Some unique or special features/actions particularly from the individual entities strengthen the cohesive forces ...
Team Building: What Is It?
Team building is the process of strengthening bonds between members of a group for the purpose of more efficiently achieving the group's goals. Activities that promote team building can be as informal and casual as a shared meal, or as formally structured as a session led by a facilitator. Successful teams can be more productive than individual ...
Team Building Essay
Team building is the process of enabling ones team or group in order to reach their goals. Reaching the goal will consist of the Team's leader involvement in the few stages of team building. Within the team building stages are sets such as clarifying the goals to the team letting them. 780 Words. 3 Pages.
Team building
Team building is a collective term for various types of activities used to enhance social relations and define roles within teams, often involving collaborative tasks. It is distinct from team training, which is designed by a combine of business managers, learning and development/OD (Internal or external) and an HR Business Partner (if the role ...
Importance And Importance Of Team Building
Team building is truly important as it also benefits the team as a whole. When employees of any company who rarely work together are allowed to communicate, they can discover that they enjoy the interaction and continue to bond with different people (from distinct fields) back at the office. Those employees who previously may not have been ...
Team leadership
Team leaders have the role of developing orchestrate teams from groups in an organization; their decisions and the way they exercise their leadership power determines the success of the team. One major attribute that leads to success of a team is effective communication method; team leaders have the role of developing an effective communication ...
The importance of teamwork (as proven by science)
8. Teamwork allows for smarter risk-taking. When you work alone, you might be hesitant to put your neck on the line. When you work on a team, you know you have the support of the entire group to fall back on in case of failure. That security typically allows teams to take the kind of risks that create "Eureka!" ideas.
10 Reasons Highlighting The Importance Of Team Building
Team building exercises foster healthy competition, improves teamwork, problem-solving, communication, and other skills. These activities provide opportunities for employees to interact and learn from other teams. Therefore, I am going to delve deeper into the importance of team building and how it translates directly to high-performing teams.
Team Building: How Does It Work: [Essay Example], 1618 words
Firstly, there is the leader of the team. They are there to ensure that the team has clear and concise objectives. It is also the leader's role to ensure that every member of the team is committed to the task at hand and involved in the realisation of the team's goals. Secondly, there is the "challenger". There primary role is to ...
Teamwork Essay for Students and Children
500+ Words Essay on Teamwork. Teamwork is working together of people to achieve a certain goal. Teamwork is the basic need for an organization to function. Furthermore, every organization has a division of several teams to perform specific tasks. Without teamwork nothing is possible.
Team Building Skills: Examples & Meaning
Team building skills are capabilities that help leaders form interactive, supportive, and high-functioning teams. For example, problem solving, listening, and organizing are essential team building skills. The purpose of these skills is to support teamwork and team development. These skills can be learned in team building books, by following ...
Team Building and Unit Cohesion
The purpose of this paper is to emphasize the importance of team building and unit cohesion and provide a few thoughts on leadership styles and their utility. ADRP 6-22, states that teams are developed in three separate phases. The first developmental stage is the "formation" stage which involves the reception and integration of Soldiers to ...
Team Work in Management
1) is of the opinion that 'People should feel a sense of worth and involvement, where their ideas are heard and their contribution is recognized'. The team's objectives must correspond to the abilities of the employees. Mutual respect and support are the issues the team's operability depends on. Scholtes (1988, p.
Importance Of Team Building
Team Building also forms friendships and trust between employees. Leaders should follow the four steps to create an effective team building: 1. Assess, 2. Plan, 3. Execute, 4. Evaluate. Good leaders need to establish a good relationship among team members so that the job can be done effectively. Communication is a process by which information ...