Teamwork in the Workplace

First published on Friday, December 9, 2022

Last updated on Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Teamwork is a word that is used quite often in the workplace. It’s a tool that allows businesses and employees to succeed and learn from each other.

There are numerous reasons why teamwork is important in the workplace and every employer should encourage it when possible.

In this guide, we’ll explain the importance of teamwork in the workplace, how it is used and how to improve it.

Examples of Teamwork in the Workplace

There are many examples of teamwork in the workplace, such as building a rapport with each other. There are many others, such as:

  • Conflict-Management.
  • Accountability.
  • Project management.
  • Receiving feedback.

As an employer, you need to understand why teamwork in your company is vital.

Why is Teamwork Important in the Workplace?

The importance of teamwork in the workplace shouldn’t be ignored. It can provide a variety of benefits from an involvement and development perspective, to improving your workplace culture. Here are a few key reasons why teamwork in the workplace is important.

Build Diverse and Inclusive Teams

Teamwork and diversity in the workplace almost go hand-in-hand. It is important that you build a diverse team rather than one full of similar and like-minded individuals. A diverse team can bring different perspectives and ideas because of their different backgrounds. Each team member should have unique opinions, beliefs, and background.

Create Efficiency

Employees work in teams to ensure efficiency and complete work faster. Teamwork can lead to better productivity, reduced costs, and greater profitability for your business.

Teamwork also enables a workforce to:

  • Develop skills by learning from other team members.
  • Keep each other accountable for their tasks to ensure that work is completed on time.

Promote Healthy Relationships

When employees work together and successfully complete tasks, they create a bond. Since employees spend most of their day at work, it's good for them to build trust, communicate and support each other.

Better Quality of Work

Large tasks can be overwhelming for one or two people to complete. With a team, the work can be split into smaller pieces and distributed. Smaller tasks are more manageable and can render a much higher quality of work, consistent with organizational goals. It also relieves pressure from one or two employees completing all the work and results in less burnout.

Overcome Obstacles

When a team is faced with a challenge, they can use their different experiences and ideas to come up with an effective solution. Teammates can help each manage difficult tasks.

How to Use Teamwork in the Workplace

Teamwork is a skill that should be used regularly within the workplace. That’s why it is important that you know how and when to use it.

Teamwork skills such as communication are important in the workplace. Businesses need effective communicators for operations to run smoothly. Communication does not only include telling employees what they need to do. It also includes:

  • Actively listening to employees.
  • Being respectful.
  • Paying attention to body language.
  • Asking questions when needed.

How to Improve Teamwork in the Workplace If there is a lack of teamwork in your workplace, then you need to make changes to ensure the efficient of your day-to-day operations.

Let’s look at how you can do this.

Make Teamwork a Priority

Setting individual and team goals is important in fostering a strong relationship amongst team members. You can also include the importance of teamwork in your businesses’ mission statement or as part of your organizational goals.

This shows that maintaining a high standard of teamwork is a priority to your business.

Hire With a Diverse Team in Mind

Hiring a diverse team creates innovation and brings new ideas to your business. This can increase motivation to see your company improve employee performance.

The mix of cultures, viewpoints, and personalities can create a stronger and more efficient team. Emphasize Inclusion on Your Team It’s very important to ensure that all of your team members feel included. This helps every team member feel valued and appreciated.

You can ensure all your employees feel included by:

  • Respecting each employee.
  • Treating everyone fairly.
  • Allowing each team member to contribute.
  • Ensuring all employees have equal access to the same resources.

Advantages of Teamwork in the Workplace

In addition to offering some key benefits for your workforce, teamwork is vital for the overall success of your company.

Teamwork in the workplace can help reduce toxic workplace culture. Toxic workplace culture may include, not recognizing employees, harassment in the workplace, and lack of support.

It generally stems from a lack of understanding of employees and a lack of collaboration between them. This can potentially increase your risk of a claim being made by an employee for a variety of reasons including harassment or constructive dismissal.

An important part of teamwork in the workplace is employee’s feel valued, which can help reduce employee turnover.

A high employee turnover can impact your business’ success and stall your company’s overall growth. It is important that you implement proper recruiting methods to hire employees that help drive the focus and goals of the organization.

Get Advice on Teamwork in the Workplace with BrightHR

Implementing teamwork in your workplace can bring major benefits to your company’s overall success.

You should never underestimate the importance of teamwork amongst your employees. Fostering a collaborative workplace can go a long way towards improving your business.

If you need assistance with managing teamwork in the workplace, our BrightAdvice service allows you to receive quality advice on any employment issues you may have.

Contact us on 1 888 220 4924 or book a demo today.


Alan Price

CEO, BrightHR and Group Chief Operating Officer

Share this article


More on culture and performance

Business team members in a meeting room, actively discussing performance management initiatives and team objectives.

Best practices in performance management for Canadian business owners

Running a business is no small feat. Among the many challenges and tasks, you may have to face, one of the most complex is performance management. ...

Read more about Best practices in performance management for Canadian business owners

Whistleblowing

Whistleblowing can happen in any workplace. It may not happen often with small businesses, and as an employer, you may think your business isnt at ...

Read more about Whistleblowing
Staff member giving a team meeting with a list of core values

Core Values in Business

Core values In an increasingly competitive market, your businesss core values are vital to its success and longevity. A businesss core values are ...

Read more about Core Values in Business

Performance Improvement Plan

When an employee is not performing to company standards, employers need to intervene. It is a difficult, but necessary, conversation to have. When ...

Read more about Performance Improvement Plan

Change management

While change can be challenging, it is necessary for growth in todays fast-paced business environment. To stay on top of new technological ...

Read more about Change management

Employee Engagement Survey

Engaged employees are more productive and provide value to your workforce. The more productive your workforce, the more successful your business will ...

Read more about Employee Engagement Survey

Unfair Treatment at Work

Treating someone in your workforce unfairly can lead to sever consequences. It is your duty to maintain a healthy and safe work environment for ...

Read more about Unfair Treatment at Work
Two people looking at a laptop,

Employee Recognition

Employee recognition can help you with employee retention, reduce turnover and improve your workplace culture. Recognition helps employees see that ...

Read more about Employee Recognition