Team Building

Teams have become a common feature of organisational life. Workplace teams are used to carry out projects of various kinds and can make a significant contribution to organisational success, but the development of good working relationships is vital to team performance.
Organisations that take the time to invest in building effective teams will reap the benefits of improved morale, better performance and the successful completion of projects.

Good leadership is a key to team performance and team leaders have a vital role to play in ensuring that team members work well together and are able to achieve the goals which have been set. Their role is that of facilitator. They need to understand the nature of the task in hand as well as the broader organisational context. They need to assess the knowledge, skills and experience of each team members and what motivates them. They need to engage individuals and help them to find their place in the work of the team.

Definition of Team and Team Building

A team is more than just a group of people who happen to work together. It is a group of people working towards common goals and objectives and sharing responsibility for the outcomes. Increasingly, a team may be composed of people drawn from different functions, departments and disciplines who have been brought together for a specific project. Team building begins with the effective selection and grouping of team members. It includes the encouragement of good working relationships and practices, which enable the team to steer and develop the work and reach their goals.

Benefits of Team Building

Successful team building can:

coordinate the efforts of individuals as they tackle complex tasks
make the most of expertise and knowledge which might otherwise remain untapped
build on the complementary strengths of team members to produce results which could not be achieved by employees working individually
raise and sustain motivation and confidence as team members feel supported and involved
encourage members to work together to generate fresh ideas solve problems, and find new ways forward
help to break down communication barriers and avoid unhealthy competition, rivalry and point-scoring between departments
raise the level of individual and collective empowerment
enhance engagement with and ownership of the task in hand.

Team Building Techniques and Best Practices

1. Consider whether a team is the best option
2. Define objectives and the skills needed to reach them
3. Consider the make-up of the team
4. Plan your team building strategy
5. Get the team together
6. Explore and establish operating ground rules
7. Identify individuals’ strengths and motivations
8. See yourself as a team member
9. Check progress towards objectives
10. Time meetings with care
11. Dissolve the team

For detailed explanation of each step and to find out more about team building, View the guide below.