What is Teamwork?

People often ask me, "What is teamwork?"

When you think about teamwork in your workplace, you may recognise effective, productive teams. You may also recognise groups of individuals who have been put together to work on a task or project and who just don't seem to make the same progress.

In order to understand the difference, consider the characteristics of effective teams. They consist of team members who have:

1. A common purpose and clear goals

2. The necessary skills and resources

3. A common approach to work

4. The willingness to share information

5. Trust and support in each other

6. The ability to work through conflict

7. The willingness to take responsibility for team actions.

So if you want to define teamwork, you could state that:

Effective teams consist of individuals who work together to achieve a common goal or purpose and who hold themselves accountable for team output.

Tuckman's Model of Team Development

In order to create the conditions where you have effective teams in the workplace, you need to be aware of the life cycle of a team. Bruce Tuckman's contribution to teamwork theory recognised four stages in team development. This has proved very popular in the understanding of what is teamwork. The stages are:

1. Forming

When team members first come together, they are typically polite and spend a lot of time observing other members on the team. They are focused on their own agenda and there is no common goal at this stage.

There is no clear process followed and team roles have not been identified. Members tend to feel unsure at this stage, typically looking for a lot of direction from the team leader.

2. Storming

As the team becomes more established, it's members become more vocal. They compete with each other, keeping their own agendas to the forefront. There is a lot of conflict, both within the team and with external groups.

Members can get disillusioned at this stage, but it is productive and it is an essential part of teambuilding in the workplace. All issues and concerns are brought out in the open and this is important, as long as the conflict is constructive.

3. Norming

Eventually a common goal is agreed, and a leader is chosen if this is not already decided. The roles of each team member are chosen, and they take on tasks that suit their skills and experience.

There is more constructive discussion and a direction is taken. Team members have a much better relationship with each other and an understanding of what is teamwork in the real sense.

4. Performing

At the peak of a team's life cycle, goals are being met through good working practices and good working relationships. Team members are motivated and the leadership is effective. There is still conflict from time to time, but this is of a constructive nature.

If a new member joins the team, or if a new task or project is given, then the team may move back to an earlier stage in its development.

Team Leader Role

If you are a team leader, an awareness of the stage of development of your team will help you respond in the most effective way.

For example:

1. Forming

Make sure you pick team members with the necessary skills and diverse backgrounds to encourage healthy debate. Your job is to start discussions, share a vision, discuss what outcomes are needed and how you might work together. You need to provide positive and constructive direction.

2. Storming

At this stage, you need to face issues that come up in an assertive way, so that you describe your needs and wants but also listen carefully to what is said by the team members. A calm approach is essential, and if you can keep the atmosphere from becoming too tense that will help you move forward more quickly.

3. Norming

As the team starts to work together, make sure you revisit goals regularly and encourage creativity. Communication is important as well as regular feedback on progress. Your job is to facilitate, encouraging rather than directing the team.

4. Performing

At this stage, you need a more hands-off approach. You need to watch for conflict issues and look for ways to improve and motivate. Your job is also to celebrate the success of the team and let others know of it's achievements.

If you would like to assess the current stage of development of of your teams in the workplace, complete this Teamwork Survey.

Click on Team Building Strategies for more information on what is teamwork and how to develop high performing teams.

Click on Team Building Techniques for team building activities and ideas on team motivation.

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