Teamwork: The Rules of the Game... and the "I"
4 October 2012
Read by 1405 persons
Certainly, unity is strength, but working as a team isn't always easy… you have to know how to deal with clashing egos or ambitions, differences in styles and personalities, conflicting interests, in short, human nature.
However, the problem isn't necessarily other people. By following 10 common sense rules, you can work as a team in a good spirit and without (too much) stress. For group dynamics, let the music play…
1. Knowing Your Part
Teamwork is a bit like being part of an orchestra: everyone needs to know their place and play their part. Whether you are applying for your first job or you are promoted to "key player" in a new strategic project, the first rule to avoid misunderstandings is to clearly define the scope of your role or mission, in short, what is precisely expected of you. Do you know the music? Perfect, but don't stifle your creativity. Initiative is always appreciated!
2. Finding the Right Balance
Dilemma: Should you impose your ideas or get your colleagues to buy into your project? It's up to you to find the right balance by using all your professional skills, your commitment, or better yet, your talent: bringing ideas, being creative, taking initiative, sharing your motivation. No one will blame you for being passionate and defending your ideas. However, be careful not to overdo it! Nothing is more irritating to your colleagues than someone who suffocates them or encroaches on their space. Even if sometimes it's difficult, you have to know how to stay in your place!
3. Being on the Same Wavelength
A few rules of etiquette are sometimes enough to strengthen a group, promote cohesion, and stimulate each other. For example, consider circulating information to benefit your colleagues and put them in the famous "loop." Be proactive to also facilitate their work by integrating their constraints and schedules.
Do you have a question to ask, a remark to make? Prefer face-to-face communication to systematic emails. Finally, don't forget the little gestures that always please: bringing pastries for breakfast from time to time or inviting your colleagues for coffee or drinks after work. These attentions strengthen ties and dissipate tensions…
4. In Unison
A colleague who is overwhelmed with work? "One for all, all for one!"… You spontaneously offer your help. They will be grateful and will probably return the favor when the time comes. More generally, solidarity requires that you share and support the decisions made by the team as a whole, even if your point of view differs.
5. Don't Shoot the Pianist
"Hello," "please," "thank you"… too often, we forget that politeness and courtesy are the basis of respect. With the same spirit of correctness, be careful not to make definitive judgments about each other's skills. Consider instead that everyone plays an important role in collective success. Even if you don't think any less of it, openly criticizing your colleagues, belittling them, handing out good and bad marks is never a good idea. You also have to know how to recognize without bitterness that sometimes other people's ideas are more relevant or better than yours. Even if it's a blow to your ego! You'll catch up next time…
6. Listening
Other people, it would be too easy to say, don't necessarily have the same point of view as you. Know how to listen to them and be open-minded even if you don't always agree. Be careful, you are not being asked to blindly follow the general opinion. On the contrary, your (constructive) remarks are welcome.
7. A Touch of Humor
Doing your work seriously and with motivation is good, but not taking yourself too seriously is even better. A little humor, a joke, a witty remark can relax the atmosphere, create a friendly climate, maintain the necessary distance, and foster camaraderie. Again, it's all a question of balance… You don't necessarily have to be a comedian.
8. Tuning Your Violins
A question, a misunderstanding? Talk to the right person immediately instead of brooding and worrying. Letting a misunderstanding fester is the worst solution. Take the initiative yourself: a frank explanation often helps to set the record straight, to find solutions and answers together. Whatever the difficulties encountered, never lose sight of the final objective: the success of the common project. You will inevitably benefit!
9. Gently on the Bass
Working as a team inevitably generates its share of tensions, disagreements, or misunderstandings… when the atmosphere becomes electric, there is only one watchword: keep calm! There is no point in getting involved by getting angry yourself, it will only make things worse. Instead, take the opposite approach and defuse the situation through silence or humor.
10. Owning Up to Your Mistakes
"It wasn't me, it was him"… In case of a setback or difficulty, blaming others is often a protective reflex. Certainly, failure can be collective, but you must assume your share of responsibility and your mistakes without hiding from them. A little courage and responsibility!
Monster.ch
Posted on October 4, 2012.
However, the problem isn't necessarily other people. By following 10 common sense rules, you can work as a team in a good spirit and without (too much) stress. For group dynamics, let the music play…
1. Knowing Your Part
Teamwork is a bit like being part of an orchestra: everyone needs to know their place and play their part. Whether you are applying for your first job or you are promoted to "key player" in a new strategic project, the first rule to avoid misunderstandings is to clearly define the scope of your role or mission, in short, what is precisely expected of you. Do you know the music? Perfect, but don't stifle your creativity. Initiative is always appreciated!
2. Finding the Right Balance
Dilemma: Should you impose your ideas or get your colleagues to buy into your project? It's up to you to find the right balance by using all your professional skills, your commitment, or better yet, your talent: bringing ideas, being creative, taking initiative, sharing your motivation. No one will blame you for being passionate and defending your ideas. However, be careful not to overdo it! Nothing is more irritating to your colleagues than someone who suffocates them or encroaches on their space. Even if sometimes it's difficult, you have to know how to stay in your place!
3. Being on the Same Wavelength
A few rules of etiquette are sometimes enough to strengthen a group, promote cohesion, and stimulate each other. For example, consider circulating information to benefit your colleagues and put them in the famous "loop." Be proactive to also facilitate their work by integrating their constraints and schedules.
Do you have a question to ask, a remark to make? Prefer face-to-face communication to systematic emails. Finally, don't forget the little gestures that always please: bringing pastries for breakfast from time to time or inviting your colleagues for coffee or drinks after work. These attentions strengthen ties and dissipate tensions…
4. In Unison
A colleague who is overwhelmed with work? "One for all, all for one!"… You spontaneously offer your help. They will be grateful and will probably return the favor when the time comes. More generally, solidarity requires that you share and support the decisions made by the team as a whole, even if your point of view differs.
5. Don't Shoot the Pianist
"Hello," "please," "thank you"… too often, we forget that politeness and courtesy are the basis of respect. With the same spirit of correctness, be careful not to make definitive judgments about each other's skills. Consider instead that everyone plays an important role in collective success. Even if you don't think any less of it, openly criticizing your colleagues, belittling them, handing out good and bad marks is never a good idea. You also have to know how to recognize without bitterness that sometimes other people's ideas are more relevant or better than yours. Even if it's a blow to your ego! You'll catch up next time…
6. Listening
Other people, it would be too easy to say, don't necessarily have the same point of view as you. Know how to listen to them and be open-minded even if you don't always agree. Be careful, you are not being asked to blindly follow the general opinion. On the contrary, your (constructive) remarks are welcome.
7. A Touch of Humor
Doing your work seriously and with motivation is good, but not taking yourself too seriously is even better. A little humor, a joke, a witty remark can relax the atmosphere, create a friendly climate, maintain the necessary distance, and foster camaraderie. Again, it's all a question of balance… You don't necessarily have to be a comedian.
8. Tuning Your Violins
A question, a misunderstanding? Talk to the right person immediately instead of brooding and worrying. Letting a misunderstanding fester is the worst solution. Take the initiative yourself: a frank explanation often helps to set the record straight, to find solutions and answers together. Whatever the difficulties encountered, never lose sight of the final objective: the success of the common project. You will inevitably benefit!
9. Gently on the Bass
Working as a team inevitably generates its share of tensions, disagreements, or misunderstandings… when the atmosphere becomes electric, there is only one watchword: keep calm! There is no point in getting involved by getting angry yourself, it will only make things worse. Instead, take the opposite approach and defuse the situation through silence or humor.
10. Owning Up to Your Mistakes
"It wasn't me, it was him"… In case of a setback or difficulty, blaming others is often a protective reflex. Certainly, failure can be collective, but you must assume your share of responsibility and your mistakes without hiding from them. A little courage and responsibility!
Monster.ch
Posted on October 4, 2012.
