How do you define teamwork at your company?
The Wisdom of Teams, published by the Harvard Business School, defines it as "a small number of people with complementary skills who are committed to a common purpose, performance goals, and approach for which they hold themselves mutually accountable.”
Actress and writer, Amy Poehler, describes good teamwork a little more casually: "Find a group of people who challenge and inspire you, spend a lot of time with them, and they will change your life.”
Teamwork is a huge part of a company’s success, but good teams don’t just happen; they’re created.
At Accelo's San Francisco office it’s not uncommon to hear people talk about how much they enjoy the culture and team at the office. One of the most amazing things about working here is how the company gels together and works effectively, whilst still having fun. Across departments, specialties, and backgrounds there is a sense of camaraderie; I swear, walk into our office and you’ll feel it.
The best thing about effective teamwork is that it's powerful, and it actually influences a company’s bottom line.
This might seem like a no-brainer, but it takes effort from team leaders to provide clear goals and design a supportive environment. For example, when you sit down to work, do you know the context for what you’re doing? Does the project have checkpoints and measurable goals that you will hit before it’s completed? Take a look at how our clients utilize Accelo for these tools by signing up for a free trial. Adding these touchpoints increases accountability and enables effective prioritization.
We talk a lot about transparency, and that’s because it’s something we believe is at the crux of a company’s success. What exactly does transparency mean for a team? We believe that transparency means that everything is accessible and visible to everyone on your team. This environment shows your team that they’re trusted and a vital part of the greater goals of the organization.
Recognition motivates people. Creating a momentum for your team to achieve a definitive result helps people feel like they're a part of something important. Successful and effective teams thrive across a multitude of platforms. They don’t just hit one goal, they hit multiple goals and achievements every day, and they’re acknowledged for good work. Within departments, have your employees define what they're completing each week. Create a sprint or a unified team schedule, re-emphasize larger goals, and define ownership. That way, everyone's on the same page when it comes to the status of achieving a certain goal and you can hold your colleagues accountable for playing their role in your team's success.
Direction, transparency, and recognition are simple tools you can take to make sure your company is on the same page and working smarter, together. We love hearing about clients who use Accelo's platform to track success, highlight wins (big and small), and create open communication networks. Sign up for your free trial today and put our tools in action.�
