Teamwork is a vital component of many operations, and being a good team player is emphasized in a variety of contexts. After all, we accomplish so much more by working together than any one of us can on our own. Labor Solutions is a great example of teamwork getting the job done. But what do you do when teamwork doesn’t actually work the way it should?
Team Fail
At Labor Solutions, we encourage a team mentality, because we know from experience that on the path to success, no one walks alone. Sometimes, however, things don’t go as planned, teams don’t work well together, and goals are missed. This can cause more frustration than just a missed deadline or benchmark.
When teams fail, it can have a negative impact on everyone’s morale. Failing to reach a set target can lead to resentment amongst teammates, especially if there is a feeling that some team members weren’t doing their fair share.
For teams to function effectively, there must be trust established that each person will do their part to the best of their ability. A failure can undermine that trust and result in some people being considered unreliable or untrustworthy, and other employees may not want to work with those individuals, causing resentment.
These negative perceptions can lead to a lack of courtesy or even open hostility among employees. Obviously, this is not conducive to a productive work environment. At this point, the company risks losing employee support for collective goals, missions, and responsibilities. It will be hard to motivate anyone to do their best work when the overall mood of the workplace is one of tension, hopelessness, or failure.
What to Do
If your team experiences a setback, take time to let everyone regroup, then consider some serious team-building work. At Labor Solutions, we believe that any challenge can be overcome when we work together, so value the efforts of your team even when they don’t succeed, and look for ways to help everyone improve.
