Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

Some people work better individually, while others work better in a team or group setting. Regardless of which way you prefer to work, you will inevitably find yourself in both these types of situations. For those who struggle working in groups, there are things you can keep in mind and do to make the process smoother and be more successful.

Active and frequent communication between your team members is vital to the success of your teams’ goals. If you notice that your group members are not communicating as well as you would like them to, take it upon yourself to set up meetings so that everyone in the group can voice their ideas and concerns.

No one person should have to do all the work. I’ve had first-hand experience with this, and it definitely is not fun and can leave you feeling frustrated. This is why everyone should be aware of their role on the team. If you’re not sure what you should be doing, ask the group leader. If you’re the group leader, make sure everyone else’s roles are clearly defined. If you feel like someone in the group is slacking, talk to them about the importance of getting his/her part done and the consequences for all the team members if he/she does not. It’s important to make sure everyone is on the same page, and that no one feels left behind.

Setting goals or mini-deadlines for the group is helpful to accomplish the task at hand. This way you aren’t left cramming all the work in at the last minute. It’s also important to make sure that everyone is checking in on the progress of others in the group, making sure goals are being met and any questions that arise are being investigated by the team.

Despite all the potential obstacles you may come across while working in a group, it can be an enjoyable experience as you interact with others. You have the ability to ask others in your group for support, rather than having to do everything all by yourself. For more advantages of working in groups in the workplace, check out this article: https://smallbusiness.chron.com/advantages-working-groups-workplace-10711.html

--BitterSweet Coaching Guest Writer