Whether you are the person in charge of the group or one of the key people that help make the wheels turn, you are in a position that is critical to making everything work smoothly in a team.
When it comes to teamwork, there are times when things can easily get out of control. Sometimes, when we are trying to work with other people, we can feel frustrated no matter the setting.
There are things you can do to make working in a group more enjoyable. Let’s discuss a few collaboration techniques to make the process a more level playing field for everyone involved.
Defining Every Member’s Role in the Group
There must be clear definitions of responsibility for every member of the group, including you. Setting clear expectations is essential, no matter how big or small the group is. Even if only two people are involved, it will help alleviate problems such as duplicate work or missing pieces. A group will not function unless everyone involved knows what their job is and is allowed to carry it out.
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Build trust and buy-in by getting feedback from others before you begin the project.
Always clarify your exact responsibilities for the project.
Consider the other tasks being performed and how they relate to your specific duty.
Think about the skills necessary to complete the project and who is best suited to perform those steps.
Make sure everyone involved understands the project and all the steps needed to complete it.
Leave the floor open for questions and solutions should they arise throughout the project.
Dividing Up the Work Strategically
No one appreciates having all the work of their teammates dumped on them, so consider how much time each step of the project takes and divide the work accordingly.
Always ask yourself:
How many hours do you think a specific task will take? Then add extra time on top of that for unforeseen challenges.
How will the added tasks fit into each person’s schedule?
What other responsibilities do they have? Do they have too much on their plate?
Will we be sacrificing something else that is essential to get this project done? How does that affect the overall operation?
If you are a leader, remember that people won’t necessarily do things precisely as you would have done it, and that’s okay! Just because they do things differently does not make their way wrong. They are learning in the process, and this can build confidence in you as a leader that you trust your team and in themselves when they do a good job. It may also allow you to see more efficient ways to get things done the next time.
Resist the Urge to Micromanage Your Team
The people you are overseeing are on your team for a reason. If you are dealing with people you trust, trust them to do their job. While asking for an update is fine, continually being after them about meeting their deadline is one way to drive them crazy or lose confidence in you and themselves.
Micromanaging is extremely alienating to members of a team. Unless you can make your team feel comfortable with their assigned jobs, you will end up with some miserable team members.
Settling Conflict
When you are working on a team, you will have to deal with conflict at some point or another along the way. In some ways, developing a teacher’s outlook is necessary. For example, unless the conflict members are going to bring it to you in a formal manner, it is often best not to get involved. Allowing your team to work through conflict on their own can help them develop social skills.
However, if you see active cruelty or malice going on, make sure you stop it quickly. While there is nothing necessarily wrong with heated discussions, make sure the entire team understands that hostility or disrespect will not be tolerated.
The above tips are four key areas that should be dealt with as soon as possible once the team is formed. Working with a group can be extremely rewarding when the strengths of its members are used in harmony.
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