Many leaders struggle with how to boost teamwork in their businesses. This skill is especially important if your company is experiencing high employee turnover. If you’re not careful, your business culture could shift away from positive values like collaboration and teamwork. So, what steps can you take to ensure a strong, team-oriented environment?
Recently, I surveyed my LinkedIn connections about their thoughts on how to boost teamwork. Let’s explore their top suggestions in order of popularity. I’ll also provide a bonus tip at the end.
How to Boost Teamwork in Your Business with Communication
More than half of those surveyed believe that good communication is essential in any workplace. Effective communication encourages collaboration, while a lack of information can lead to suspicion, jealousy, and even turf battles.
As a leader, you must ensure that employees have a clear understanding of what’s happening within the organization and your vision for the future. This transparency encourages trust and collaboration. Even when there’s bad news, sharing it promptly can prevent uncertainty and rumors that harm teamwork.
Tip for Leaders: Share your big-picture vision, including any potential challenges, so your team feels empowered rather than left in the dark.
For more tips on maintaining a positive team environment, check out our post on work-life balance challenges.
Boost Teamwork with Team-Building Activities
Team-building activities give employees a chance to get to know each other outside their regular duties. These activities bring different departments together, united around a shared goal, which enhances teamwork.
You can boost teamwork through both internal and external team-building initiatives. Creative team-building exercises like brainstorming sessions and volunteer projects foster collaboration.
Internal activities might include brainstorming sessions, training backups, or organizing fun events. External activities such as volunteer projects are also an effective way to foster teamwork.
Nonprofit organizations often offer structured volunteer opportunities that fit your team’s schedule and interests.
Here are some other best practices.
Pro Tip: Consider scheduling regular team-building events to keep collaboration strong across departments. Find activities that align with your company’s values and interests to maximize impact.
Strategically Use Recognition Programs
Sharing success and recognition can go a long way in boosting teamwork. Set challenging but achievable goals and reward teams or individuals who go above and beyond to meet them. Recognition can be as simple as giving shout-outs in meetings or more structured, like an Employee of the Month program.
However, ensure that the recognition program is inclusive. Awards should not always go to the same people or departments. If employees feel overlooked, recognition efforts may backfire and hurt morale instead of improving teamwork.
Pro Tip: Use a system where nominations come from peers and supervisors, ensuring a fair selection process that doesn’t alienate parts of your team.
Understanding how employees handle their time off is also crucial. Read our guide on how to solve the employee PTO problem for insights.
Bonus Tip: Boost Teamwork During the Hiring Process
Some believe that emphasizing teamwork to employees should start on their first day. I recommend starting even earlier: during the hiring process. When interviewing potential candidates, discuss your business culture and emphasize the importance of teamwork. Give candidates a clear understanding of the collaboration expected in your company.
If teamwork isn’t a current strength, don’t market it as a finished product. Instead, share your vision for how you plan to boost teamwork and ask potential employees to be part of that journey.
Let’s Create a Memorable Meeting
