A recent study concluded that companies that embrace teams are five times more likely to be more productive than those that don’t. 

Different studies have demonstrated that employees who work collaboratively tend to stick with tasks longer and are often more motivated. While the case for collaborative working is indisputable, you might not be certain on how to ensure effective collaboration in your organization. 

Here, read up on some actionable tips you can institute to improve productivity. 

1. Encourage Informal Networking

It’s commonly assumed that formal team-building exercises are the key to better working relationships. This could not be further from the truth.

Often, these events tend to be forced and rigid. This is not the ideal environment that encourages good working relationships. 

Instead of creating budgets for elaborate team-building events, try having more informal events where teams can sit and enjoy simple everyday activities. A team brunch or lunch is an example of this. If you give your staff the chance to build relationships organically, this will be transferred back to the office naturally. 

2. Clarify Roles

Ambiguities regarding who is in charge of what can make group working more challenging. Aside from the lack of accountability, some members might leave all the heavy lifting to more active members. 

This can overwhelm the said members, leading to resentment, which does nothing for productivity. To mitigate this, ensure to have clearly outlined roles before the commencement of any group project. Each team member should have a copy of this for reference purposes.

3. Make Information Available

At times, well-meaning teams run into conflicts because they can’t access the same information or can’t access it at the same time.

Having a virtual data room (VDR) allows companies to have their information in a centralized location. Team members can then be given personalized permissions to access what they need for specific projects. 

Visit firmex.com to learn other ways your organization can benefit from having a VDR.

4. Leverage Member’s Strengths

Working with people’s strengths goes better than attempting to work around their weaknesses. 

One of the things HR can do is take a personality audit. In the future, this can be used to assemble teams based on the specific project’s requirements.

The results of the personality audits can even be done within specific groups. This can act as a bonding exercise where people understand themselves and other team members better. 

By assigning tasks in this manner, teams are more likely to succeed because they will be playing to their respective strengths.

There are good free personality tests online you can use for your staff.

5. Reward Good Work

A common mistake management makes is intervening only when things go wrong within teams. While negative feedback is essential, positive feedback and re-affirmation are just as important.

One of the simplest ways to build camaraderie is by offering formal recognition to employees. 

Appreciate individuals who go out of their way for the organization and other employees. What this does is take the focus away from undercutting each other and, instead, direct individual energy into supporting each other for the organization’s benefit.

You will be surprised at how much an employee of the month mention or a thank you note from management can incentivize staff to embrace collaboration.

Final Take Away

Keep in mind that teamwork can be forced upon employees. Sticking to the dogmatic principles from decades ago does nothing in today’s workplace.

When thinking about fostering collaborative work, go beyond the superficial. You want your staff to form meaningful, productive, work-based relationships. To achieve this, think about how to create an environment that supports organic work friendships. Therein lies the key to building an enviable collaborative work culture.