“There is no ‘I’ in ‘TEAM,’ but there is an ‘E’ in ‘EVERYONE.’ A team achieves more when everyone contributes.”
– Robert Cheeke
So often we find ourselves acting for our own best interests, however, a company cannot run effectively if we are each striving for ourselves; so much more can be done when we work together as a team.
Through mutual collaboration, successes can be celebrated, comradery and kinship can be built, and an overall happy working environment can be cultivated. Being part of a team means being respectful towards all other employees, honouring them for their particular role and duties.
Working Together
Most business units are comprised of teams, with a hierarchal structure of reporting towards top management. Usually employees work independently, however, forming part of a member of a team. Teamwork is a crucial part of any organisation, departments often work in close association with each other, relying on each other for certain information, in order to complete their tasks; and this inevitably creates a need for a consistent flow of open communication between one department to another.
An organisation’s success rests on the success of the individuals within its teams. The better we understand ourselves and how we impact on others, the more chance of having a focused and effective team. Individuals are critical building blocks of any team’s performance.
“Each individual has unique gifts, and talents and skills,” says John J. Murphy, a specialist in business transformation and the author of the book “Pulling Together: 10 Rules for High-Performance Teamwork.”
What can you do to ensure you are an effective member of your team?
Working well within a team means understanding yourself and others better; this will in turn show that you are committed to achieving both personal and organisational goals.
Conflict resolution
Conflict is an inevitable consequence of working with other people. For most people, volatile situations are uncomfortable and cause a lot of stress and negative emotions. Conflict management and handling negative emotions are not skills we are born with; they need to be learnt.
Understanding that working together with your colleagues, is not always the easiest of tasks; often we a presented with difficult personalities; when you find yourself in such a positon try to remove yourself emotionally, and act professional.
If you find yourself in a position, whereby you cannot resolve tensions in a professional and amicable manner; approach your HR consultant or immediate line manager for information on the Grievance policy and assistance with the company’s grievance procedures.
The best way to deal with any conflict situation is through assertive behaviour. Through assertive behaviour you express your feelings and beliefs in a constructive and non-aggressive manner. This means not hurting, threatening, demanding or trampling on the rights of others.
Do your very best to steer clear of situations whereby you “take matter into your own hands,” they never end well. Rather opt for an, a “I win, you win” attitude. Professional assertiveness utilises communication methods that maintain self-respect, satisfaction of all needs and defending your rights, without abusing or dominating other people.
Tracy Middleton, in an article published on the 25th of September 2021, discusses the fundamental advantages of team work, and states:
Team players appreciate that their team’s success is their own success, and they share accountability when their team experiences problems along the way.
Conclusion
Together we are stronger; take good care of your colleagues, make effort to support the members of your team, and show enthusiasm for the work that you do; associate yourself with quality people, who possess a positive mental attitude. Do your best and don’t expect less, be genuine and sincere and make discipline a way of life.
Remember MISA is just a phone call or an e-mail away!
(Article by Anneke Venter – Edited by Nichole Turner)
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References:
Team Effectiveness Assessment – Management Training from MindTools.com
The importance of teamwork (as proven by science) – Work Life by Atlassian
6 Qualities That Make a Great Team Player | Indeed.com
Gordon, C. 2003. Leadership Insights. Durban: Charles Gordon
Meyer, M. & Fourie, L. 2004. Mentoring and Coaching. Knowres Publishing