Whether you’re the person in charge of the group or simply one of the key people that help make the wheel turn, you’re in a position that’s critical to making everything work smoothly in a team.
When it comes to teamwork, there are times when things can easily get out of control. Dealing with other people can sometimes make you feel frustrated no matter what the setting.
There are things you can do to make working in a group more enjoyable. Let’s discuss a few collaboration techniques to make the process a more level playing field for everyone involved.
Defining Every Member’s Role in the Group
There must be clear definitions of responsibility for every member of the group. This is important no matter how big or small the group is. Even if there are only two people involved, it will help alleviate problems such as duplicate work or missing pieces. A group won’t function unless everyone involved knows what their job is and is allowed to carry it out.
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Always clarify your exact responsibilities for the project.
- Consider the other tasks being performed and how they relate to your specific duty.
- Think about the skills necessary to complete the project and who is best suited to perform those steps.
- Make sure everyone involved understands the project and all the steps needed to complete it.
- Leave the floor open for questions and solutions should they arise throughout the project.
Dividing Up the Work
No one appreciates having all the work of their teammates dumped on them so consider how much time each step of the project takes and divide the work accordingly.
Always ask yourself:
- How many hours do you think a specific task will take?
- How will the added tasks fit into each person’s schedule?
- What else are they responsible for? Do they have too much on their plate?
If you’re a team leader, remember that people won’t necessarily do things exactly as you would have done it, and that’s okay! Just because they do things differently doesn’t make their way wrong.
Resist the Urge to Micromanage The Team
The people you’re overseeing were put on your team for a reason. If you’re dealing with people you trust, simply trust them to do their job. While asking for an update is fine, constantly being after them about meeting their deadline is one way to drive them crazy or stage a revolt!
Micromanaging is extremely alienating to members of a team. Unless you can make your team feel comfortable with their assigned jobs, you’ll end up with some really unhappy team members.
Settling Conflict
When you’re working on a team, conflict is something you’ll have to deal with at some point or another along the way. In some ways, developing a teacher’s outlook is important. For example, unless the members with the conflict are going to bring it to you in a formal manner, it’s often best not to get involved.
However, if you see active cruelty or malice going on, make sure you put a stop to it quickly. While there’s nothing necessarily wrong with heated discussions, make sure the entire team understands that hostility or disrespect simply won’t be tolerated.
The above tips are four key areas that should be dealt with as soon as possible once the group is formed. Working with a team can be very rewarding when the strengths of its members are used in harmony.
