BUILDING STRONGER TEAMS : EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES FOR TEAM-BUILDING

 

(Siam Pukkato, 2020)

Introduction

In today’s competitive work culture companies needs strong and united teams to be successful. When teams are strong and united, they can achieve more things and increase the productivity also. This will be a critical factor to have less turnover too then more people will be working together longer time and then the unity between them get increased. But when team has less unity and work on separate ways it’s difficult for companies to achieve success on their operations. However, to build strong and united teams companies need to have the intention and put some effort on to it. Here are some of the effective methods on team building which is used in current corporate world.

Strategies for Team Building

1. Establishing Trust and Psychological Safety

For any team to be successful trust is critical is an important aspect. When focusing on building strong teams companies needs to focus on establishing the trust within the team first as these group is the group going to work together and their unity is much important to become strong in their field. Companies need to promote an environment withing the team where anyone feel free and safe to share their ideas without the fear of judgement or reprisal. (Edmondson, 1999) explains that in a psychologically safe environment, followers are more willing to take risks, share ideas, and admit mistakes. The absence of psychological safety can prevent team members being open and share their ideas. That will definitely ruin the unity and trust among the members.

(Global Leadership Network, 2022)

2. Establishing Clear Goals & Targets

Setting clear goal are critical for any team’s success. Reason for that is clear goal provide the team on what to focus, an accountability and guidelines on what to work on so all the members are aware of the objectives, can stay on the right path, are accountable for their actions within the team. And leaders also can measure progress, make decisions and provide constructive feedback to achieve shared goals effectively. As per (Rostron, 2024) if team members don't aware what they are working toward, team leaders have failed before they've even started and therefore, to build an effective and a strong team, make it clear what the goal is that the team is trying to accomplish, and what it will take to get there.

3. Promoting Diversity and Inclusion

Promoting diversity and inclusion in a team in important for creating and team environment where different viewpoints succeed. This increases the problem solving abilities in a team by bringing wide range of ideas and methods. When all team members in a team feel that they are been valued and included they will be more engaged and committed ultimately leads to increased satisfaction and high performance as they are positive due to the above factors. Furthermore, when a company embrace the diversity, it will increase its talent pool by attracting individual with different skills from different backgrounds. Therefore, by promoting diversity and inclusion teams can achieve greater success with their goals. A Research conducted by (Horwitz and Horwitz, 2007) highlights that task related diversity has a positive impact on both quality and quantity of team performance.


4. Engaging in Team-Building Activities

Team building activities are used by companies with the expectation of improving unity and build stronger teams within the company. Such activities provide opportunities for team members to create bonds, collaborate with each other and build most important trust outside of their regular work environment. These benefits are supported as (Maguire, 2023) explains right kinds of team-building exercises according to you team can bring people closer together, help teams work more effectively, and identify gaps and strengths in individual members.

5. Conflict Management

In teams there are people from different backgrounds. And it’s a place where different views get shared thus conflicts within the teams also highly possible to occur. Therefore, team leaders should have the ability to manage conflicts within the team. Otherwise, conflicts will be diversion for the team to achieve its goals and targets. When leaders are addressing conflicts effectively and proactively it can create a positive environment and promote the collaboration in the team. Ways conflict management can contribute for successful team building are resolving differences, improving the engagement and building trust within the team which help to the growth of the team. When leader become more proactive on this, they can ensure harmonious environment where each member can work towards goals up to their potential. In her article (Killops, 2024) explains that conflict in teams is inevitable but not inherently negative and when managed well, it can lead to growth, innovation, and stronger relationships. Therefore, this is one of key method of building stronger teams.

(Litmos Heroes, 2014)

Conclusion

Effective team building depends on different key mechanisms. As mentioned, trust and psychological safety, clear goals and targets, diversity and inclusion, team-building activities, and conflict management are few of those. Prioritizing these mechanisms teams can become strong, co helps teams become strong, organized and perform up to maximum potential. At last companies needs to remember that these are continues and constant reviews and feedback needed on the areas when needed. Then only companies continue the success achieving through these mechanisms.

Reference


Edmondson, A. C. (1999) Psychological safety and learning behavior in teams. Administrative Science Quarterly, Vol 44(1) 250-282, [online]. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/313250589_Psychological_safety_and_learning_behavior_in_teams#:~:text=The%20concept%20was%20originally%20developed,(Edmondson%2C%201999%2C%20p [Accessed on 11.04.2024]

 

Global Leadership Network (2022) Amy Edmondson on Leading Up & Creating Psychological Safety [video]. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cy8Gj9rr-iE [Accessed on 11.04.2024]

 

Horwitz, S. K., & Horwitz, I. B. (2007) The Effects of Team Diversity on Team Outcomes: A Meta-Analytic Review of Team Demography. Journal of Management, Vol 33(6), [online]. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228389271_The_Effects_of_Team_Diversity_on_Team_Outcomes_A_Meta-Analytic_Review_of_Team_Demography [Accessed on 11.04.2024]

 

Killops, N. (2024) Conflict Resolution Team Building, rockoly.com [online]. Available at: https://rockoly.com/conflict-resolution-team-building/ [Accessed on 11.04.2024]

 

Litmos Heros (2014) How To Deal With Conflict [video]. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLbGHQo4qnA [Accessed on 11.04.2024]

 

Maguire, A. (2023) 22 Best Team-Building Activities and Games to Try in 2024, themuse.com [online]. Available at: https://www.themuse.com/advice/team-building-activities-games-for-work-office [Accessed on 11.04.2024]

 

Rostron, M. T. (2024) 10 Effective Team Building Strategies For Leaders 2024, nexford.edu [online]. Available at: https://www.nexford.edu/insights/team-building-strategies-for-leaders [Accessed on 11.04.2024]

 

Siam Pukkato (2020) Close up bottom view of people giving fist bump showing unity and teamwork. Friendship happiness leisure partnership team concept [image]. Available at: https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/close-bottom-view-people-giving-fist-1675654816 [Accessed on 11.04.2024]

Location: Yala, Sri Lanka

Comments

  1. Tharukshi WijesingheApril 11, 2024 at 3:05 AM

    Good Article. Team building and keeping them engaged is challenging. Specially to match attitudes, beliefs and the way they work. When you have a clear path for the team, it will really help organizations to get the best of the team. Like you correctly mentioned, establishing trust and psychological safety is the key from my point of view. Establishing clear goals and targets to the team will help you to bring everyone to one picture and make sure that they achieve that. It is also another important factor. Very informative writing.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Nilakshi MadushiniApril 11, 2024 at 3:31 AM

    Building stronger teams is essential for achieving success in any organization, and effective team-building strategies play a vital role in fostering collaboration, communication, and cohesion among team members. By implementing proven techniques and approaches, organizations can cultivate high-performing teams that are resilient, innovative, and capable of achieving shared goals.

    ReplyDelete
  3. DilshadApril 11, 2024 at 5:27 AM

    Solid Post, Staff members are able to put more effort into their job when disagreements are handled in a positive way, rather than wasting time worrying about things that haven't been resolved. A more streamlined process and higher output are the results.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Amila EdirisingheApril 11, 2024 at 7:34 AM

    “Building Stronger Teams” is an important part of organization development activities. Using interactive skills training techniques to improve the ways in which people in teams work together, the objective is to increase group cohesion, mutual support, and cooperation. A good topic and nicely grabbed with the leadership and impact on organizational successes.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Arundathi EgodawatteApril 11, 2024 at 7:36 AM

    Insightful article. Also, whether it's through team outings, workshops, or team-building exercises, these activities create opportunities for building rapport, enhancing communication, and reinforcing shared values and norms.

    ReplyDelete
  6. H.C.De SilvaApril 11, 2024 at 11:26 AM

    This piece provides insights into various strategies for building strong teams in today's competitive work environment. It highlights the significance of trust, clear goals, diversity, team-building activities, and conflict management. These strategies aim to foster unity, collaboration, and productivity within teams.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Sandali GunathilakaApril 13, 2024 at 9:43 AM

    Team building strategies are practices that organizations use to get their teams working well together. For example, defining team roles and rewarding excellence. These methods contribute to creating an environment where employees feel empowered to do their best (Teambuilding,2022).

    ReplyDelete

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