No organisation
ever wants any member of their staff to have differences among one another for
any reason whatsoever. A friendly working atmosphere is every management’s valued
need and therefore, companies want employees who are at ease working with
others as by themselves. And anybody who does not fit into a team is unwelcome
and sooner or later, finds himself out.
It is an
established fact that no person can perform in a watertight compartment. A
common goal is what is essential to succeed in all assignments. And that is
made possible by working in a team. Employees, irrespective of their position
or seniority certainly seek diversities in ideas and views, which, per se are enabled
only if teamwork and team spirit prevails.
Today, it is
essential that individual penchants are cast off and substituted with those
that encourage cooperation and collaboration. People who have all along been
loners, notwithstanding their competence levels should start recognising and
accepting the significance of and pledging to teamwork.
Functioning in a
group implies that there are different forces acting on the prevailing
atmosphere. There are bound to be wavering viewpoints with support to varied methodologies
of executing tasks assigned. People will, in their own wisdom have different
priorities. Under such circumstances, one should be tolerant and display good listening
skills. Several never-thought-of options could be mooted and one should be amenable
to them. And if one does not display a flexible approach, colossal problems in
executing tasks will be encountered. The
following tips will help towards working in a team:
· Respect & admire others: The
most important aspect is to respect the suggestions and viewpoints of others.
In this game, there is no age factor, issue of experience or personal proximity
that is involved. A conscientious person needs to be considerate to every team
member, junior or senior, young or elderly and novice or experienced alike.
Equal opportunities have to be afforded to all. It should be remembered that
more often than not, out-of-the box ideas originate from quarters that are
least expected. Another related but highly significant issue is caring for the
time of fellow workers. If there are internal deadlines to me meet, there can
be no alternatives. Punctuality and doing one’s homework ought to be the
guiding principles.
· Shed all stringency & rigidity:
The rudiments of teamwork are found in a flexible
approach. One needs to have and adjustable working disposition. There are many
people who like to be slow but steady. They are not impulsive, unlike others
who exert in bits and pieces. Team work means convergence of ideas and adoption
of an acceptable course of action, divergent notions that may be existing
notwithstanding. The beacon of adaptability should always be functional. But
giving in or acceding to others more than what is essential is incorrect too.
One may be fairly reasonable and circumstances may exert pressure to succumb.
There is no justification to unwarranted succumbing to external pressure
tactics, when one is reasonable enough in put across viewpoints. Anybody who
does so evidently ignores output considerations.
· Share & contribute: A
bunch of individuals thrown inside a ring do not necessarily display teamwork
or work in harmony. But it should not be forgotten that parts and fractions add
up to more than their sum total. Hence the need to play a team game cannot be
overemphasized. A healthy competition is an inescapable requirement in a team.
But when such competition gives way to intra-team rivalry, volatility pervades
the environment. Spirits of mutual trust or collective esteem take a beating. The
focus should be to share everything available and everything possible - from
thoughts to resources. Working for personal motive should be a big no-no and
any tendency to climb the ladder individually should be discouraged. It is
working together in harmony towards the achievement of a common objective that
should never be lost sight of. Doing so will offer a wide spectrum of solutions
to problems, several options and courses of action and more importantly,
well-arrived at decisions.
· Be candid in your communications: The
prime causative factor of success of a team is frankness with which ideas are
exchanged. But regrettably, unambiguous communications continue to plague
setups as a result, misgivings and misunderstandings creep in. People who are
effective team players invariably do not conceal things. They are forthright
and convey their points of view honestly, be they within the group or outside
it. Calling a spade a spade is alright, but it should be done with due
diligence. All communications are a two-way process. Speaking out one’s mind in
a candid fashion also calls for listening patiently and accepting feedback,
even if it is negative. But more significant is to put such feedback to good
utility, that is, to become a better team player.
· Display interest & dedication: A
person who is disinterested or who lacks perseverance is never welcome. Any
individual having a focus of attention that lies elsewhere cannot fit into a
team. So if one has to part of a tea, it has to be in letter and spirit. And if
there happen to be deviations, the same will manifest in changed behavioural
patterns. Any indifferent or unconcerned attitude will not go unnoticed. Dedication
calls for sincerity of effort. It also means playing an active role. It is no
point standing in the galleries like cheerleaders. What will matter is being
where the action is. A my-horse-also-ran disposition is worthless and a person
harbouring it is a non-performer.
Strength lies
not in similarities but in differences. And if the differences come together,
it is a good start; if they keep together, it is progress; and if they work
together, it is success. Remember that no one can whistle a symphony. It takes
an orchestra to play it. That sums up everything.
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