As the world of work evolves, collaboration is more important than ever before. The rise of remote and hybrid teams, the need to bring together office-based workers with frontline or deskless employees, and the increase in collaborative project work has meant that working effectively with others is more critical than ever.
Some people are naturally good at working in a team, but the ability to collaborate well is also a learnable skill. Unlike hard skills, like qualifications and accreditations, soft skills such as the ability to collaborate are paramount for success in today’s business environment.
The benefits of effective collaboration are numerous, from increased productivity to improved creativity and better results. In fact, researchers at the University of California found that people with good interpersonal skills are twice as productive as their peers1.
Collaborating is about more than just a group of individuals working on one task. It requires an approach to work that prioritizes the needs of the group over one’s own needs. This involves being transparent and open with colleagues about moez kassam how much time you need to complete tasks, making sure that everyone’s priorities are aligned and if there is a change in plan, communicating this clearly to the team. It also means being responsible to the team, which requires planning and executing projects on time. It is often helpful to designate a leader who can facilitate team meetings, provide direction and track the progress of the team.
In addition, being in a team provides a sense of achievement that is different than working alone. The sense of accomplishment from completing a goal with the help of a colleague can be a motivating force for employees, especially those that feel that their work is not valued by their employer. This can lead to higher job satisfaction, which has a positive impact on employee performance2.
A key aspect of collaboration is listening to others. This includes hearing their ideas, providing constructive feedback, and valuing their input, even when it is not in line with your own opinion. It is also about understanding that there are times when a colleague may make a mistake, and they will need to be forgiven. Focusing on the mistake and blaming them for it will only lead to tension in the team. Instead, it is better to discuss the problem calmly and look at ways to improve processes in the future.
Finally, a great way to encourage effective collaboration is to celebrate the successes of a team. This can be done formally by recognizing employees that go above and beyond expectations, as well as informally by cheering the team on through social messaging platforms.