Teamwork: The Rules of the Game... and of "I"
Teamwork is great, but it's not always easy... you have to deal with clashing egos or ambitions, differences in styles and personalities, conflicting interests, in short, human nature. 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/ Know Your Part
Teamwork is a bit like being in an orchestra: everyone needs to know their place and play their part. Whether you're applying for your first job or you've been 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 – precisely what is expected of you. Know the music? Perfect, but don't limit 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 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 it's sometimes difficult, you have to know your limits!
3/ Be on the Same Wavelength
A few rules of etiquette are sometimes enough to strengthen a team, promote cohesion, and stimulate each other. For example, share information with your colleagues and keep them in the loop. Be proactive to make their work easier by taking into account their constraints and schedules. Have a question or a comment? Prefer face-to-face communication over systematic emails. Finally, don't forget the small gestures that always please: bringing pastries for breakfast from time to time or inviting your colleagues for coffee or drinks after work. These thoughtful acts strengthen bonds and ease tensions...
4/ In Unison A colleague overwhelmed with work?
"One for all, all for one!"... You spontaneously offer your help. They will be grateful and will likely return the favor when the time comes. More generally, in a spirit of solidarity, 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. In the same spirit, avoid making definitive judgments about each other's skills. Instead, consider that everyone plays an important role in collective success. Even if you don't think so, openly criticizing your colleagues, belittling them, or handing out good and bad marks is never a good idea. You also need to be able to acknowledge 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 get your chance next time...
6/ Listen
Others, it's 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. Note that you're not being asked to blindly follow the general opinion. On the contrary, your (constructive) comments 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 lighten the atmosphere, create a friendly climate, maintain the necessary distance, and foster camaraderie. Again, it's all a matter of balance... You don't necessarily have to be a comedian.
8/ Tune Your Violins
A question, a misunderstanding? Talk to the right person immediately instead of brooding and worrying. Letting a misunderstanding linger is the worst solution. Take the initiative: a frank explanation often allows you to set things 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/ Easy on the Bass
Teamwork inevitably generates its share of tensions, disagreements, and misunderstandings... when the atmosphere becomes tense, the only watchword is: keep calm! There's no point in getting involved by getting upset yourself; it will only make things worse. Instead, take the opposite approach and defuse the situation with silence or humor.
10/ Own Your Mistakes
"It wasn't me, it was him"... In case of setbacks or difficulties, blaming others is often a protective reflex. Of course, failure can be collective, but you must assume your share of responsibility and your mistakes without hiding from them. A little courage and responsibility! Exercise A little introspection never hurts. Take a few minutes to objectively ask yourself what your colleagues think of you. List the positive or negative adjectives that come to mind. You will then be able to more easily correct what in your attitude harms team spirit and find the right balance to become the ideal colleague...
Posted on March 7, 2011
