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Go Team! Making Collaboration Work

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As more leaders recognize the value of employee work groups, team environments are becoming common at the office. Studies show that more than 80 percent of organizations employ workplace teams of different kinds, and teams that work well are more productive and come up with better solutions than if individual members had worked independently. The structure of collaboration has changed with so many employees now working remotely. Here are 4 simple tips for making collaboration work. 1. Build Trust. Trust is the cornerstone of all effective teams, as it means each member can rely on other members to do their part. It doesn’t just happen, though; trust needs to be built. Find ways to develop trust within the group, such as through problem-solving exercises that require everyone to work together. Managers should communicate openly with the team, offering as much transparency as possible. Keeping the lines open between coworkers also helps build trust. 2. Encourage Cooperation. A team can’t succeed if members are competing with each other to be top dog. Showcase your personal accomplishments when it’s appropriate to do so, but within your team structure focus on collaboration and mutual support so you can succeed together. Managers should recognize individual efforts, but also praise teamwork and reward collaboration. 3. Do Your Part. Being ready to share the work is the first step in great teamwork; DOING your share of the work is the second step. Be accountable to your team for the work you’re assigned, and take responsibility for getting it done as and when it’s needed. Managers should maintain reasonable deadlines and follow up on work to ensure everyone is doing their part. When emergencies occur and extra effort is required, teams are more willing to pitch in if they know assignments are normally handled fairly. 4. Use the Best Medium. Email works best between two individuals and when a written record should be kept. Virtual meetings are best when brainstorming or collaboration needs to happen. A video presentation (where only the speaker has video and audio) works to communicate messages to large groups of people at once, with the opportunity for questions and discussion after. For immediate issues that require a brief answer, a phone call or instant message works best. Discover more tips for teamwork success in Smartsheet’s Guide to Remote Work Collaboration, and practice being a collaborative superstar!

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