Working together as a team can enhance performance and achieve goals that might be more challenging for individuals to accomplish on their own. When it comes to encouraging workers to bring their best to the table, teamwork allows for the specialization of roles and responsibilities to be highlighted and valued as they contribute to various aspects of workplace success, not just a singular project. Over the years, numerous studies have shown that teamwork is essential in developing high-reliability organizations, especially human-centric ones. 

Additionally, different viewpoints can aid problem-solving in the face of challenges that can be better solved by increasing the chances of finding innovative solutions and attracting the right talent! These days, over half the population of the younger generation of workers values company culture and a positive work environment when looking for a job.

What can you expect from working together?

Companies that prioritize teamwork are looking beyond the numbers. Team leaders are looking for employees to enhance their skills and bond with one another in the workplace by facilitating strong and creative teams. Here’s a rundown of the benefits you can reap from cultivating a collaborative workplace, followed by 16 tips to help you promote a workplace that prioritizes working together. 

• A shared workload means less stressed employees 
• Increased skill development
• Increased motivation and morale
• Risk mitigation
• Better communication
• Increased accountability
• More support 
• Enhanced creativity
• Learning opportunities
• Networking
• Improved work quality
• Improved relationships between coworkers
• Increased adaptability among workers 
• Better problem solving

16 tips for working together and building stronger teams

1. Encourage communication 

Effective team communication fosters collaboration, productivity, and a positive work environment. To ensure team members communicate regularly and understand each other (talking doesn't always lead to communication!), create a culture where team members feel safe sharing their ideas and concerns and that others are engaging in active listening when others are providing feedback. Teams that don't fear criticism or judgment do better with conflict resolution and brainstorming, as they know their voice is being heard. 

In addition, by providing teams with the right collaboration tools for the job, whether that might be platforms for sharing information and communicating asynchronously, team members can develop their communication style with the right tools. 

2. Organize regular teambuilding retreats

Team-building retreats are essential for fostering team cohesion and enhancing the overall effectiveness of a team. For teams already working together but may be in a rut or are newly formed, team building is a great way to spark creativity and build trust. 

Team building retreats offer the benefit of getting out of the office into a new (ideally beautiful!) location for some much-needed rest and time to get to know one another. Between day trips and sharing meals, teams can focus on getting to know one another and giving attention to creativity and innovation rather than pushing toward a deadline or the next meeting. Teambuilding retreats should be done as regularly as possible, as they offer the long-term benefit of contributing to ongoing team cohesion and effectiveness.

Before booking a retreat, consider what you need as a group, personally and professionally, and contact us at Surf Office to help you with any logistics. We can help you plan everything from your daily schedule to teambuilding activities and day trips tailored to your needs.

3. Host in-house teambuilding events

Hosting in-house team-building events is a great way to foster teamwork, boost employee morale, and improve organizational communication. Here are some great games that teams can participate in regularly (think at least twice a month) that can be done in person or remotely to enhance team-building and collaboration in the workplace.

In-person:

• Scavenger hunt
• Team lunch
• Team field day
• Murder mystery
• Community service

Remote:

• Two Truths and a Lie
• Teach your team a new skill
• Scheduled coffee breaks
• Twenty questions

Check out this comprehensive guide to team-building activities published on the Surf Office blog to understand what other activities you can choose from and how to play the games. 

Successful team-building events should be inclusive and enjoyable and contribute positively to the team's dynamics and productivity. Tailor your activities and approach to suit your organization's unique needs and culture. 

4. Have regular check-ins

Regular check-ins play a significant role in team building within a workplace. Team leaders can do these check-ins with the whole team, as well as individuals, to be sure that everyone is comfortable to share their concerns and feel acknowledged in the workplace. 

To ensure check-ins are productive, regular check-ins for team building must be structured and respectful. Team leaders should create a safe and inclusive environment where members feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and concerns. Additionally, it's essential to vary the format of check-ins to ensure they stay varied and to accommodate different communication preferences within the team.

5. Organize regular meetings

Regular meetings are essential for teamwork for several reasons. Getting together, online or in person, is a great way to foster spontaneous communication and align on project goals. Ensuring everyone is on board is crucial for avoiding misunderstandings and conflicts and ensuring everyone is working toward a common goal.

When you plan a meeting, ensure you have an agenda ready, so it takes little time and distracts from the work day. Some things that teams should prioritize in a meeting agenda are: 

• General planning
• Updated goals and information needed for past and upcoming projects
• Space for voicing concerns
• Sharing recent successes

Meetings also play an essential role in encouraging and maintaining motivation, as team leaders can recognize and celebrate achievements, boosting team morale in the long run. 

6. Create complementary teams

To ensure your team works well and is thus fostering a productive work environment, consider mixing individuals with different (but complementary) skills, personalities, and work styles. Some skillsets that would fit well together are:

• Creativity
• Innovation
• Strong listening skills
• Relationship builder
• Content Creator
• Leadership/ guidance skills
• Analytical 

A strong team will play off of each other skills and prioritize open communication and positivity. Encourage team members to embrace their differences and leverage their strengths for the organization's benefit.

7. Provide continuing education

Continuing education for team building is crucial for motivation and improved performance. Here are some resources for continual education that will benefit any team, no matter the industry:

• Conflict resolution class.
• Cultural sensitive workshops. 
• Leadership development
• Time management tools and courses 
• Project management training
• Guest speakers 
• Workshops
• Online Courses and Webinars 
• Mentorship programs 
• Self-Assessment tools

Continuing education should be tailored to your team's specific needs and goals. Regularly talk with your teams and ensure they are getting what they need. If you identify the problem, ask if there's something they would like to learn and provide the tools of workshops to thrive as individuals and collaborators. 

8. Regularly evaluate skills

Regularly evaluating skills is an essential practice for personal and professional development. Team leaders can provide a self-assessment survey to help employees and teams assess their abilities and identify their strengths and weaknesses. 

Surveys should highlight current skill sets and ask whether or not each team member feels comfortable with where they are and, if not, what they can do to improve. Skill evaluation should also reflect on the company's role in team success, inquiring about what could be necessary on the company level to help employees succeed. 

After teams submit their self-assessments, leaders can set up feedback sessions to provide constructive feedback to help teams grow stronger.  

9. Set goals

When work teams set clear and meaningful goals, they can enhance their performance, productivity, and effectiveness. Planning provides teams with a clear sense of direction and purpose. They help team members understand what they are working towards and why their efforts matter. Setting clear goals also makes sure workers remain motivated and have a good understanding of what their role is and thus are driven toward succeeding toward a clear goal or relevant task. 

By establishing clear goals, teams can measure progress and allow them to make necessary adjustments along the way, rather than feeling deflated when an idea doesn't come to fruition or a project doesn't pan out.

To help establish goals, teams can rely on the SMART method:

• Specific
• Measurable
• Achievable
• Relevant
• Time-bound

Regularly establishing adjusting goals helps promote communication and flexibility, making teams more adaptable and forward-thinking as they grow together. 

10. Offer a third space for teams

Coworking days for teams can be a great way for remote or even in-house teams to have time just to be with themselves to work on a specific project or break away from their regular workspace regularly, like once a week or once per month. Coworking offers numerous benefits, including improved collaboration, creativity, and a change of environment. Companies can provide a team membership while ensuring the chosen space provides the necessary amenities for productivity, like meeting rooms or a shared office. 

Coworking can provide teams with a fresh perspective thanks to being in a new place and letting teams spend dedicated work time together without being distracted by at-home chores or the hustle and bustle of an office. 

11. Establish a mentorship program

Creating a mentorship program, whether done in-house or run by a third-party organization, is a valuable way to foster professional development for teams. Mentorship can focus on essential areas for collaboration, like knowledge sharing and collaboration within an organization. 

Establish objectives for your mentorship program before launching a program or hiring an expert. Define what your team wants or needs to learn, such as skill improvement, leadership tactics, or improved communication and time management skills. 

Ensure the mentorship program offers a clear outline of what it will provide, like coaching, workshops, and outside events contributing to learning. Whether the program is a one-time thing or you decide to deliver continuous mentorship throughout the year, keep track of outcomes for accountability and future program development based on your team’s specific needs. 

12. Offer incentives for good teamwork

Incentives promote teamwork while helping individual team members stay motivated. Here are some ways that company leaders can reward strong and effective teamwork any day of the year:

• Verbal or written recognition/ congratulations
• Team-building events or retreats that focus on personal bonding 
• Going out for a meal
• Remote work days
• Training and workshops chosen by the team 
• Financial Rewards such as cash bonuses or gift cards
• Extra PTO
• Half days
• Fitness Budget 

Remember to tailor rewards and incentives to individual team preferences. If you need clarification on what a team may do, conduct a survey or host check-ns to see if teams are looking for extra mentorship or feel overworked and could use a day off. Knowing that you are offering something they need or want can go a long way in feeling generally appreciated and contribute to overall satisfaction and productivity within the company. 

13. Stay on top of output

Staying on top of output for teams is key to maintaining productivity and achieving goals. Teams should always refer to their set goals and objectives, checking in regularly to ensure each member understands their task and what the team is working towards. 

Teams can use project management tools like Asana or the Monday board to manage output, assign tasks, set deadlines, and monitor project progress. During tight project deadlines, teams should regularly communicate priorities that need to be the point of focus and long-term milestones. While groups are working together, it's always good to have a member who is an established leader or project member, even if that role tends to change over time. This person should delegate tasks and responsibilities based on their strengths and expertise while ensuring everyone is entitled to a fair workload. 

Staying on top of teams' output requires effective leadership, communication, and the right tools. By implementing these strategies, you can help your team work efficiently and achieve their goals.

14. Define your company culture

Defining your company culture is crucial in shaping the values, beliefs, and behaviors that guide your organization. But, it will also help teams within your company define what they are working towards as part of a greater collaboration. A robust and well-defined company culture can increase team cohesion, employee satisfaction, teamwork, and overall performance. 

Here are some steps to help teams define their company culture:

Team leaders need to be aware of what defines their culture. Here are a few things to consider while shaping your identity: 

• Identify Core Values
• Understand what leadership looks like in your company
• Company vision
• Company mission
• Feedback outlets
• How do you measure success
• How do you celebrate success

Defining and nurturing your company culture is an ongoing process that requires commitment from leadership and active participation from teams and individual employees. Continually refining and revisiting A positive company culture will appeal more to talent and retain top-tier workers.

15. Take a break together

Prioritizing rest and downtime with the whole team can boost camaraderie and overall stress relief. Teams can communicate their stresses and, rather than working late, decide to go to lunch together or take a half day on Friday to ensure that team members are recharging and not at risk for burnout. When considering team bonding, make sure that breaks are inclusive and don't isolate other team members who might have different interests or schedules should be a priority.

While taking time off together can be a planned event, teams can also make time to spend together throughout the day, like taking a coffee break together or having a 15-minute chat after a meeting, which will help cultivate bonding and enhance overall communication.

16. Prioritize personal growth

Prioritizing personal growth in teams is essential for fostering a positive and productive work environment and ensuring the long-term success of both individuals and the organization. Communicate with each team member to help them understand the importance of personal growth and development and how it affects teamwork, as more secure and well-rounded individuals make an outstanding contribution to any team. Still, it's also vital for individual satisfaction at work. 

Company leaders can provide continuing education resources and work with each team member to outline their career goals, the skills they want to develop, and the resources or training needed to achieve them. By promoting a learning culture, companies will foster an environment of improvement within the team and encourage sharing knowledge, best practices, and mistakes as valuable learning experiences. 

In the long run, by allowing team members to focus on personal growth, companies are making space for a better work-life balance for all, which is essential to both team and company success. 

Working together benefits both individuals and the company 

As you can see, teamwork affects almost every part of our lives, including our workplaces. While company leaders and employees may be fully aware of why and how collaboration improves productivity and overall satisfaction in the workplace, they may still need to learn how to implement better team structures. 

Working together can help individual employees enhance their skills, build their network, and overall have better job satisfaction as their team will support them. In turn, companies will have happier and more productive employees who can work together to solve problems, seek support, and have access to more resources in support. 

By focusing on these tips and making a concerted effort to get to know your team members and their individual needs, team leaders can create a tailor-made plan for their employees that meets their needs while contributing to a better work-life balance.