Careers Done Write Workshop on the Go: Soft Skills Part II: Team Work

Earlier this year Millennial Branding conducted a survey of 225 employers using Experience Inc.’s data pool of over 100,000 U.S. companies.  Of the employers surveyed, 92% said that teamwork skills were one of the top five skills they are seeking in new employees.  Teamwork skills are often taken for granted by employees.   “What’s the big deal about working on a team?”  If you have to ask, this is a must-read article for you. There are many subtleties of team interaction that dictate the success of the team and the future success of individual team members.   Let’s take a look at six aspects of teamwork.

Appreciate the Value of a Team

The first step in improving your team building and teamwork skills is to appreciate the value of teamwork.  If you don’t recognize that value, you will not be able to fully commit yourself to the team.

Additionally, it is critical that you have the ability to recognize the characteristics of efficient teams. If you have a model for an optimal team, you can adopt those positive elements.   To learn more about effective teams, read this book, The Wisdom of Teams.

Understand Your Behavior Style

Be aware of your behavioral style. Each person’s style has positive and negative aspects.  Recognize the aspects that are productive as well as the aspects of your behavior that are detrimental to the team’s success. It is equally important to gain an understanding of the other team member’s styles and the best way to interact with each team member. This can be the most challenging part of teamwork.

Personality Style at Work: The Secret of Getting Along with (Almost) Anyone can provide some insight.

Determine Your Role on the Team

Most of us have a good understanding of our strengths and weaknesses.  Analyzing our strengths can help us determine (in conjunction with the team leader and teammates) the best role we should assume on the team.   Keep your eye on the best way you can contribute to the team.  In some settings, you may have to cover a gap in skills and you may not be able to perform your preferred role.  That is part of being on a team - doing what is best for the team as a whole.

Cooperate with Team Members

A key aspect of team success is cooperating with teammates to solve problems, generate ideas, and improve processes. Be a good listener and consider other's opinions and ideas. Avoid the urge to grab credit or dominate discussions.  Depending on your personality, you may need to keep yourself in check. For example, if you tend to be very passionate and outspoken about how things should be done, you may need to curb your enthusiasm.  Your way may be “the” right way to do things, however, take a step back and let others share their opinions.  There is a chance that you might learn a new spin on “the” right way.

Respect & Be Respected

Treat team members respectfully and they are more likely to do the same.  Let’s break that down because often people are quick to say they respect others, yet their actions are not respectful.  Always, look for the best in others.  Show gratitude of other team members.  The words, “thank you” and “good job” are not enough.  Sincerely praise team members for particular aspects of their work privately and to the entire group.  Go easy on the self-praise. There is no room for a prima donna on a team.  The book, Taking People with You: The Only Way to Make Big Things Happen, includes brilliant advice on how to work with a group to achieve great things.

Be Productive

As a team, you are one entity focused on a common goal. Identify your key objectives and what you want to accomplish together.  Be reliable and do your fair share of the work.  Do the tasks assigned by the team without stepping on other team members’ toes.  There is often that one person on the team that seems to loaf while everyone else is working feverously to achieve the goals. Don’t be that person!

With 92% of employers expecting teamwork skills, it’s in your best interest to build those skills if you want to get ahead.  The advice in today’s workshop on the go will help you make significant strides to build and enhance your teamwork skills.