Compelling Direction

Without a goal or direction, there is nothing that engages, inspires, or even energizes a team. Having a clearly defined objective allows a team comprised of members who may have varying backgrounds to unify and understand why they are doing specific tasks in a project. As a result, this creates a consequential motivation in which team members will care about completing their parts for whatever intrinsic or extrinsic motivation that might be.

Defined Structure

One key feature that allows a team to reach its goal or objective is a strong and clearly defined structure. A strong structure facilitates teamwork and promotes positive dynamics within a team. One significant area that factors in to the structure of a project is assignment of tasks. It is crucial to carefully assign tasks within a team so that members feel confident and prepared to complete quality work in an autonomous manner. Defined structure helps maximize the potential of a group and promotes an environment of teamwork in which every team member can contribute and take ownership of their respective tasks.

Supportive Context

The proper support can make the difference between successful teamwork or a miserable failure. This means having systems in place that rewards and reinforces good performance, provides the tools and information needed by team members to complete their projects, and the proper training to do so. If a team is missing any of these three things, effective teamwork will be nearly impossible.

Common Mindset

Other than supportive context, a shared mindset may be the most important piece of teamwork. A common desire to reach team objectives allows for more fluid and cohesive work amongst its members. As a result, team members are all on the same page in terms of what needs to be done and how it will be accomplished thus allowing for successful teamwork.

Evaluating your team

When combined, these four conditions can turn a divided, uncooperative group into a highly effective team. Contrastingly, weaknesses in any of these areas can expose a team to problems that inhibit proper teamwork. As a leader, it is important to examine each one of these characteristics within your team and ask “where can these areas be improved?” and “which of these areas are currently working and how can this be implemented more?”. Doing so will ensure that you get the best possible teamwork out of your team.