things done and to overcome obstacles that would have stymied an individual .
Many of us have chosen careers in organisations where many people work together because we like teamwork and the people around us . Indeed , many talented professionals entering the workforce value collaboration and team-based environments . Teamwork provides growth opportunities and can create a pleasant work environment that boosts morale .
Teamwork is not only essential in bigger corporates but also in smaller professional firms . An obvious reason for teams is skill diversity . Different team members focus on particular jobs due to their specialised skill sets to achieve the overall goal . But beyond this obvious reason , other synergies can also be unlocked . Teamwork among a diverse group of people with unique perspectives will almost always reveal new , fresh ideas , invaluable in today ’ s competitive business environment . New ideas and perspectives will flow when you create a safe space where individuals can raise their views without fear of criticism .
Another reason is morale . Working together boosts job satisfaction as employees share successes and learn from failures in a supportive environment . Teamwork fosters encouragement , rewarding achievements and creating a cycle of success . Successful teams build strong relationships , often leading to lasting friendships .
As team leaders and members , we can unlock synergies in many ways . We can complete tangible tasks that other members can see . We can be available for communication . We can offer support at every stage . We can ensure that everyone in the team has a clear understanding of the project ’ s goals . We can encourage social activities to pull members closer together . We can clarify team roles and hold individuals accountable , because , for a team to succeed , it is important that every member completes their assigned tasks . And we can celebrate together .
Often , as professionals , we do not see an alternative in our endeavours , a different collaborative approach . Fighting harder seems the only way . Fuelled by our passion and commitment , we are often trapped in our endless to-do lists , following the known path of working harder and throwing ourselves into the fighting arena . But as we see so perfectly in nature and in sport , another arena is possible , the synergetic arena . Successful synergies can generate more resources , resilience and rewards . Indeed , it is difficult to imagine our lives without friends and colleagues . As humans , we rely heavily on each other for support and companionship . As the author of Ecclesiastes noted , the strength of mutual strands is not easily broken .
Izak Smit
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