Do you have to do teamwork? Yes, but you have also realized that it does not come naturally for everyone. In this article we will present you 5 rules to understand to facilitate teamworking.
Rule 1: Considering multiple personalities
Learning the qualities of each team member
In a group there can be all kinds of personalities. The goal of the game is for everyone to be able to play the card with which they are most comfortable. For example, the “cerebral” team member will be good at finding information, the “dreamer” will produce beautiful visuals, and the “talkative” one will be good at mediating and coordinating everyone's ideas. In short, group work offers the possibility to highlight everyone’s best qualities.
Encouraging communication
It is important to maintain positive and constructive exchanges to ensure that the project is completed. If you have any doubts about whether team members understand the instructions for completing the requested work, speak with them directly. Organize some events rewarding them with motivational gifts such as corporate award trophies or something like that. Also organizing team building activities appreciating them for their work and making some photo books for capturing the funny day.
Being complementary
Be aware that even if you are very competent, you can't do everything. Learn to trust your teammates. If there is a procrastinator in the group, offer him/her short tasks, with a specific deadline.
Strengthening team spirit
The quality of your group will determine the quality of your assignment.
Developing a sense of belonging
Whether you like it or not, you are part of a working group so you might as well develop a sense of belonging so that everyone feels involved.
Rule 2: Respecting others
Do not make negative judgments
All judgments are to be banned, but the worst is negative judgments. They are not based on facts and destroy relationships. Examples: "You suck!" "It's bullshit what you're doing."etc...
React to ideas and not to the person
If you don't like the person you are working with, try to consider only their ideas and put aside your differences while the work is being done.
Avoid conflicts
When a situation is embarrassing, it should be discussed to defuse anger. There is no point in getting into conflict, it will not help the situation and will only make matters worse. Try the Gordon Model* of the "I" message, which is to express your emotion and then explain the cause and effect it has on you. For example, "I feel annoyed when you work on the assignment at the last minute because I feel as though I can't relax." You will not be blamed for naming your feelings and it will be easier for the person you are speaking with to understand you.
*More information in the article "Origins of the Gordon Model" on gordontraining.com.
Give sincere advice
Sincerity contributes to your health! A study was conducted by Dr. Anita E. Kelly, Professor of Psychology at the University of Notre Dame, on 72 volunteers for 5 weeks depicting that sincerity has positive health benefits. Tell the truth!
Rule 3: Being organized
Several tools can help you work well in a group:
Gantt chart or retro planning
The project is divided into tasks to be done and planned over time. There are several ways to detail:
- Introduction, development, conclusion
- Find information, write, check spelling and grammar mistakes, make the visual, proofread everything
Online agenda
It is a question of creating a group or individual agenda. It allows you to know who does what and when. Ideal for not having to do it all at the last minute!
Google Drive
Anyone can modify the document at the same time as long as they have the access link. No need to wait until the colleague has finished his game to start his own.
Eisenhower Matrix
Sometimes you want to do everything at the same time. You quickly feel overwhelmed and you don't know where you stand anymore. To remedy this, it is necessary to determine the urgency and importance of a task in order to plan, delegate or postpone it. If you're a professional and you feel your team members are not enough you can find a hand of help from platforms as Upwork, Fiverr and Virtalent.
