A team is a group of individuals who work together towards a common goal or objective, relying on each other's contributions and collaboration to succeed. A key foundation of overall team effectiveness is teamwork and collaboration.
Why teamwork and collaboration are important
- Innovation and problem-solving - Teams are made up of individuals with different skills, experiences, and viewpoints. When the individuals work well together this diversity leads to more creative problem-solving and innovation, as different ideas are shared and debated.
- Shared accountability – In a cohesive team, members support each other, compensate for each other’s weaknesses, and foster a sense of responsibility for the group’s performance.
- Improved learning and development - Teamwork fosters an environment of continuous learning. Team members can learn from one another, share expertise, and develop new skills.
- Stronger relationships and trust - Positive team dynamics and good communication create a supportive environment where people feel comfortable contributing and relying on others, which is key to long-term success.
- Adaptability and flexibility - Teams that collaborate well can be more adaptable to change. When unexpected challenges arise, a collaborative team can quickly regroup, redistribute tasks, and adjust their approach.
There could be a range of reasons why you might want to take some time out to focus on strengthening teamwork and collaboration, whether it's building a new team, repairing strained relationships, preparing for a new project or change or simply to recognise the value of good team relationships.
A range of resources are available to support managers in this area - See the Team Effectiveness Area in Staff Learning. These include ‘how-to guides’ for team-building activities, articles and tools to develop skills. Many of these resources can be found in the playlists listed in the Useful Links section.
If you feel that you require some additional support in this area contact organisational-development@brookes.ac.uk.