Team collaboration happens when a group works together to achieve a common goal or work towards a target. The structure of the modern-day work environment is formed based on individuals working in teams and departments. People still work on independent projects, but teamwork exists at the core of every task or organisation. Maintaining team collaboration is not as straightforward. In each team, people from diverse backgrounds are present and keeping them on the same page takes significant effort. Team collaboration is necessary for organisations to achieve long-term success and fulfil long-term organisational goals. A collaborative team contributes to a positive and efficient work environment. Individuals who are part of a functioning and collaborative team also experience greater workplace wellness and productivity levels. In some organisations, maintaining workplace collaboration might be challenging because of the group composition and other factors. Australian research from Deloitte for Google found that the Australian economy will lose $9.3 billion worth of value if it doesn't leverage collaboration in the workplace.

 

 

Communication is key to the basic functioning of each aspect in our lives. Without communication, the concept of a team might not exist. However, communication might not be easy for each team member, and in such circumstances, organisations and individuals can face a challenge in maintaining a collaborative and functioning team. For a more productive and collaborative team, an organisation needs to promote effective communication. That means everyone in a group is encouraged to share ideas openly, without comments being offensive, and be mindful of how information is shared. Everyone in a team should have the freedom to share ideas without hesitation.

 

 

In a team, people from different dynamics and personalities exist. Some people tend to dominate conversations and group tasks at any given place. In such situations, team leaders need to look out for individuals whose ideas might get suppressed by others. It is human nature to function based on positive reinforcements and encouragement. Individuals whose works and ideas get overshadowed by group work might feel left out. In such cases, individuals also become reluctant to share ideas and work efficiently on future projects. In these instances, acknowledging individual work is crucial to keep a group functioning and healthy. Organisations need to make an effort for ineffective leadership training to maintain the responsibility of keeping track of individual contributions and reward them accordingly. 

 

 

Workplace health and safety is the one defining factor in workplace well-being. Individuals who feel safe and heard in a group have a higher trust level and increased productivity. In teamwork, organisations must keep a close eye on individuals who might intimidate their group members or take credit for their work. If a person feels safe in a team and appreciated, they are more likely to contribute towards the team's overall goal. Secondly, we all face personal challenges; in such cases, the team members must be supportive of an individual’s situation. For example, if a team member is unable to participate for any reason, another member can collaborate to help finish the scheduled tasks. An overall understanding of each other's circumstances and providing a supportive environment can generate a positive environment for group collaboration. 

 

 

Nothing kills team spirit more than a long, descriptive set of guidelines to follow and compulsory, yet irrelevant meetings to participate in. Instead, keeping team members engaged from the beginning can help create group collaboration. Team leaders can organise activities where team members can break the ice and get to know each other. If the team has been working together for a long period of time, challenging activities in smaller groups can help build an environment of trust. Pairing team members for engaging activities can be used to understand the communal bonds that can emerge from working on a challenging task. In addition, engagement can also be promoted by letting team members share their ideas and strategies to carry out a project. When people are let to lead, leaders often emerge. 

 

 

Individuals or organisations should not wait for only big moments to celebrate. After all, each goal consists of many small milestones. Celebrating the achievement of small milestones is integral to promoting group morale. Small celebrations let the team members know that work is being recognised and appreciated. When the culture of milestone celebration is promoted, team members will collaborate naturally to strive for bigger goals. Besides group milestones, celebrating individual achievements is essential. It is one of the best strategies to encourage individuals to work effectively for future collaborations.  

 

 

Forming a team from a group of people or employees is easy, but sustaining it for an extended period needs consistent effort and work. The sustainability of a team and long-term collaboration is highly dependent on organisational efforts. First, an organisation must arrange skill development training to polish their employees' soft and hard skills. If that initial group is not developed over time, it would be hard for them to deal with new and changing work challenges. Therefore, it is integral that the organisation arranges monthly or quarterly skill development seminars and sessions. Humans are the most important and sophisticated asset any organisation can possess. If an investment is not made to develop their skills, staff turnover, reduced morale and a decrease in productivity follow. A well-maintained, positive and collaborative work environment is then kept far from reality. Additionally, an organisation should also provide opportunities for workers to be involved in recreational activities. 

 

 

Remote work is the new normal in the workplace now. If workplace policies still require workers to come in on a daily basis, some workers somehow would opt for the remote work option. This means all organisations do not have the option of operating on the old system. Therefore, investing in software and platforms that make online team collaboration is necessary. Software like Slack, Microsoft Teams, Trello, and Asana, among others, make it easy for team members to collaborate and share documents and keep work records. Investing in such software and training employees about their use can help team collaboration greatly. It makes work convenient and trackable for team members.  A new survey from Asana shows that 64% of Australian workers have relied on collaboration tools since transitioning to remote work.

 

 

Constructive feedback is vital for the improvement, of individuals and teams. In any team, the leaders should build an environment where the members feel safe and comfortable sharing their feedback. Once the group members have the liberty and space to share their opinions, they can add their ideas and strategies to do things better in the future. Encouraging feedback can greatly empower team members. Once feedback is collected, incorporating them in the policies and organisation can assure the team that their ideas and thoughts are valued. 

 

 

It takes deliberate steps and strategies from team leaders and organisations to promote team collaboration. Understanding the team dynamics and acknowledging individual contributions can build a strong foundation for team collaboration. Organisations and leaders need to invest in the training and development of team members and employees to maintain a culture of collaboration. When they become part of a positive team and a safe and supportive environment, individuals can give their best for the organisation's overall growth. 

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