Technology-Enabled Business Solutions

We’ve all heard the saying, “There’s no I in team.” This adage is essential for those who must work in a collaborative environment. Much like a sports team, there will be individuals who prefer to work alone, or who think that they would be better off doing the job themselves. The key is to know what type of person you are, how to amplify your skills, and how your personal traits can add to and enhance the team.

Here are some tips to remember and incorporate if your company functions based on teamwork and collaborative efforts:

• Take a personality test to help you understand yourself and others better. There are several personality tests available online that can help break down specific traits of your personality and describe how you can harness those traits to properly communicate with others. For example, the Myers Briggs test, is deployed all over the country from universities to businesses, and helps test-takers understand personality preferences by identifying four areas: introvert/extrovert determines how you are energized, sensor/intuitive measures how you absorb information, thinker/feeler analyzes if you make decisions with your head or your heart, and judgmental/perceptive describes how you order you life. Once you understand more about yourself, you can better interact with others and potentially cater to their needs, as well.

• Be willing to attend conferences, webinars and seminars. Taking classes and going out of your way to read additional material about your industry will make you a well-rounded individual. While it may seem like a self-fulfilling task, broadening your skills and expertise will also make you a better asset to your team. Not only will you be knowledgeable about current trends, you will be able to bring ideas to the table during team conversations and brainstorming sessions. Bouncing ideas off one-another during meetings can help the problem-solving process, and by taking the initiative to learn more, you’re helping your team and your business.

• Take advantage of team building events. So you may not be asked to take a day at the high-ropes course with your team, but try to bring the high-ropes back to the office. Participate in team building skills that ensure trust and communication. For example, play red, yellow and green light during brainstorming events. It goes like this: during the green light, everyone shares his or her thoughts and ideas on how to solve the problem freely. There is no insulting or erasing of “bad” ideas. All thoughts are written on the board and accepted as great contributions. Yellow light is the time you can discuss the items on the board, talking about why the thought may or may not work, with out giving insult. And red light is where you really discover what the team perceives to the best solution. This team building activity will facilitate free thought, a safe environment, and an opportunity for people to build on one another’s ideas.

Sound Off: Working as a team can help produce more effective solutions. What tips do you have for fostering creativity through teamwork? Share  your success story by leaving a comment below.