Team building creates a group of employees that functions as one unit to accomplish business goals. The term “team” doesn’t have to be limited to sales or marketing departments; it can include all the individual groups that make up your organization.
Effective teams will almost always produce more quality work than individuals working alone. Teams can also help solve difficult problems by sharing ideas.
Increased Productivity
Team development activities bring departments closer together, encouraging cross-functional collaboration that benefits the organization. Stronger teams work better together to maximize productivity, create a more cohesive culture, and motivate employees to do their best work.
In forming, teams get to know each other through non-conflict-laden tasks such as working on a fun team-building activity. This helps everyone build a bond and feel more comfortable with each other.
In the storming stage, team members discuss issues and differences in opinions and ways of working. This can be challenging for a new team to navigate, but it is crucial to allow people to talk through differences and surface solutions that will help the group work smoothly. Once the group arrives at the norming stage, they will feel confident collaborating and performing as a team. Ideally, a team will move through all five stages of Tuckman’s model quickly and efficiently.
Better Customer Service
A well-functioning team can help provide your customers with better service. Satisfied employees are more likely to treat customers with care and respect, which is a major factor in keeping them returning for more.
Moreover, a well-functioning team can improve communication and problem-solving. Management development Cortlandt Manor, NY, helps teams create clarity around roles and responsibilities, which allows them to work more efficiently together.
The initial phase of team development is called Forming. In this stage, team members can familiarize themselves with each other and develop effective collaboration skills after a period of adjustment. The second stage is Storming, where conflict and differences of opinion arise. Managing this can be challenging, but the team must grow and develop. The third stage is Norming, where the team begins to settle into a pattern of working together and understanding one another’s strengths and weaknesses. Finally, the fourth stage is Performing, where the team self-manages and produces at a high level.
Increased Employee Satisfaction
When a team feels connected, they work together more effectively and efficiently. As a result, the company experiences increased productivity and achieves better outcomes overall. During the forming stage, team-building activities can encourage employees to bond with each other over non-conflict-laden tasks and help them get to know one another. This will also help to prevent misunderstandings in the future.
The storming stage is where the team members begin to interact with each other more, creating conflict around working styles and goal perceptions. Leaders need to guide the group through this process without causing further damage to the team.
The Norming phase is where the team begins to function as a unit and produce results. This stage can be enhanced through problem-solving and competitive activities that encourage a collaborative approach to work. During this time, team members will start taking the initiative and making decisions independently rather than waiting for management to step in.
Increased Profits
Even the most skilled individuals can only work at their peak if they trust and support one another. Without team building, productivity grinds to a halt, and projects fail to reach completion. A well-performing team enables a greater number of tasks to be completed in a shorter amount of time, ultimately resulting in more revenue for your business.
Every team goes through a process of development, the most widely-accepted framework being Bruce Tuckman’s five stages of group development: Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing, and Adjourning. It’s important to ensure your team is on the right track, especially during the forming stage, by focusing on relationship-building activities, such as team-building events and social outings. This helps the group get to know one another, improve communication, and establish their working styles. The forming stage is also an excellent opportunity to clarify roles and reduce ambiguity. This will enable your team to move quickly through the Storming and Norming stages.