Teamwork makes the dream work?

Teamwork makes the dream work, or so they say.  

There is truth in this, even if it’s a statement that makes you roll your eyes, and makes you think of clichéd team bonding exercises. When the team is working together, pulling in the same direction, supporting each other, it can be a joy. The sense of connection to each other, successfully supporting the communities you serve, make the difference you want to see in the world.  

But let’s be honest, it’s not always like this. There’s a very good chance you’ve either been part of or witnessed a team who at best aren’t working together, and at worst are actively undermining each other. These team members will have begun with the best of intentions, but somehow along the way they’ve fallen into dysfunctional and damaging ways of working together. And whilst this undoubtedly has a big impact on the individuals, it likely has a just as damaging impact on other teams, and the communities the organisation serves. 

For those working in the team it can feel as if it were easier for them to be working on their own, they’d get more done! And those reporting into the team are going to feel pulled in every possible direction, and their work is going to feel impossible.  

Once a team finds themselves in a place of dysfunctional working, it is seemingly impossible to see a way out. With broken relationships, a lack of trust & respect, and inconsistent practice, working out how to transform a group of people to a team who are truly working together can be unimaginable. 

It can be done, but it requires willing, openness and honesty from everyone involved. From my experience, here are some of the key components for bringing a team back together and sustaining healthy team working. 

Everyone trusts each other 

To work together, a team needs to trust each other. Trust that they all know what they’re doing, that their colleagues will do their bit, that they will be supported, that their colleague isn’t going to undermine them, and trust that their manager has got their back.  

Making mistakes is ok  

Mistakes are always going to happen, no one is perfect, and they are an important way we learn and grow. A healthy and happy team know that it’s ok to make mistakes (to be clear, I’m not talking about dangerous practice which puts people at risk), and that they will be supported through these. Teams like this make it ok for members to say they don’t know how to do something, ask for help and share what they find difficult at work. 

Respectful debate 

There is a misconception that a healthy and happy team is one that never disagrees. Where everyone is on the same page, and of one mind. Whilst we hope that once a team is putting their plans in action, doing their actual work they are united, it is essential that the team can openly disagree and debate in a respectful way. This looks like sharing different opinions, and responding to each other with curiosity, and finding a way to consensus. 

Ongoing, positive communication  

To be able to manage disagreement, teams need to communicate well. This not only means making sure everyone has an opportunity to talk, it means everyone listens to understand, not just to respond. But in addition to this, the communication has to be ongoing, and needs to be positive and respectful. That’s not to say teams shouldn’t talk about the problems, the challenges they face (they absolutely should), but the team should be mindful about how they talk about each other, avoiding negative language about each other, and other teams, as this can easily take you down a path of scapegoating. 

Laughter, and finding the positive 

Those happy moments at work where we share a success, something fun, where we laugh, are the moments which bond us, which really make us a team. It can be challenging to find time and prioritise this, but it shouldn’t be underestimated. We are naturally disposed to see the negative, unless we actively look for the positives, the successes, the wins we can miss them. 

Accountability 

The team need to be held to account, not just by the leader, but by each other, and this is where trust, communication and the acceptance of mistakes is so important. Without these, supporting each other to stay on track is a challenge. 

The same purpose  

Finally, working to the same purpose, to make a difference to the communities you serve is a great advantage to bringing the team together. But it is vital that the team not only understand the expectations of how they will meet this purpose, but that they also understand each other's roles, and how they contribute this. 

These are all interrelated, and are dependent on each other, but ensuring that everyone on the team feels supported, comfortable and respected is the cornerstone of creating a positive working environment. This requires honesty and reflection from everyone, which has to be modelled by the leader consistently to build a happy team.