Enter any workplace in Australia and you’ll likely be told about the importance of teamwork, with all of your colleagues and superiors conditioned to work as a single cohesive unit. Teamwork represents one of the most important interpersonal skills to possess - for a reason.
Why is teamwork so important in business?
How does the old adage go?... ”many hands make light work”...well, that absolutely applies in the workplace. Do a little online studying on the subject and you’ll learn that businesses work better when everyone does their bit. Breaking big tasks into smaller, simpler ones works better for everyone.
What are the benefits of effective teamwork?
Regardless of whether you’re joining a new role at the start of your professional journey or doing so as part of a career change, teamwork will usually run through everything you do. Effective teamwork will lead to better collaboration, increased performance and more profitable projects.
So, how can you ensure that you’re a good team player?
Provide Constructive Criticism
Take any teamwork-related short courses and you’ll soon see that it’s important for team members to coach each other in their work. Constructive criticism shows that you care about the team goal, as well as demonstrating collective responsibility - so long as everyone involved is receptive to it.
Know Your Limits
Confidence is one of the best interpersonal skills to possess, but it shouldn’t be allowed to spill over into arrogance. It’s vital to know your limits, as it will prevent you from over-committing to projects that lead to stress and disappointment. Knowing when to say no and set realistic goals is key to great teamwork.
Understand the Project You’re On
Top team players tend to be driven in pursuit of the collective goal because they know it inside out. Taking the time to truly understand what you need to do as a team at the outset of any new project will help you focus your own efforts and support others in achieving top performance.
Support Your Colleagues
It’s important to have a competitive edge among your interpersonal skills as a modern professional, but that shouldn’t supersede the needs of the team. Sure, you want to achieve top personal performance, but that’s no good if the team ultimately fails in its task. Support your teammates and everyone wins!
Don’t Let Conflict Fester
As conflict resolution-related short courses show, allowing problems to fester is no good for anyone. For a cohesive team to be enjoyed, any differences of opinion should be nipped in the bud, using strong negotiation and interpersonal skills. Be open to constructive criticism yourself too, as no one is perfect!
Work On Your Interpersonal Skills With OCA Short Courses
It’s perhaps not surprising that teamwork is so vital to professional success, but it still requires focusing on it to achieve the best results. The good news is that if you’re lacking in any particular area yourself, it’s possible to work on both your hard and soft skills with an online Interpersonal Skills Course.
At OCA, our industry-led online courses are video-based for easy digestion and modular, making it easy for busy people to get the skills and knowledge they need for success. To find out more, visit us today at www.onlinecoursesaustralia.edu.au where you’ll find training for 20+ professional sectors.
Alternatively, to speak to us directly about your learning needs, give us a call at 1300 611 404 and we’ll be more than happy to give you the help you require.