Contrary to the popular notion, team building is not necessarily shipping employees away from the office to a different location and performing some activities with them. The true meaning of team building is a deliberate work culture that fosters collaboration and synergy among people who work for the same organization. It is based on the realization that every team member plays a critical role individually, but when every team member plays their part well, then the organization is able to achieve more.

Traits of a well-built team

A good team has excellent communication channels that a free and effective between members of the team as well as the management. There is a famous Swahili proverb that says;

"A boat doesn’t go forward if each one is rowing their own way".

The only way a team's effort can be coordinated is through effective communication.

Another indicator of a well-built team is collaboration. It is important for each team member to understand how their role fits into the overall organization's objectives. This way, every member feels valuable and strives to contribute to the organization's success.

"Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success" ~ Henry Ford

How to build teams

There are a number of ways to build winning team in the work place. Simple initiatives that can foster good communication, collaboration and facilitate improvement in the overall team performance. Here are some ideas;

Organize a team activity away from the office - This is definitely one of the favorite team building activities. Detaching the team from their normal working environment provides an opportunity to review the level of cohesiveness of the team, adjust areas that need improvement as well as have some fun and connect in a relaxed environment. The key emphasis in this approach is to strategically design a way to ensure the weaknesses in the team structure are addressed in the office environment after the activity.

Conduct Employee feedback - Most organizations do not have an open, non-inhibitive communication channels that provide employees an avenue to give feedback to the key decision makers. A deliberate structure of obtaining employee feedback gives the employees the confidence that their feedback is valued.

Celebrate success - Acknowledging individual team members exceptional performance as well as recognizing a teams' good performance encourages top performance,  eliminate negative energy and foster a team spirit.

Have group discussion session - When individual team members are involved in finding solutions and putting forth their ideas and suggestions towards a work project, this particular gesture will promote teamwork, boost employee confidence and, once again, make them feel valued and wanted.

These will go a long way towards:

Cultivating inter-departmental synergy: Explore the principles that drive team work while overcoming possible team dysfunctions.

Role definition and adoption: Acquire a better understanding of the common vision to provide guidance for improved and efficient management operation.

Engender shared leadership: Lay emphasis on joint but differentiated responsibility.

Great Organizations Anticipate Change, Prepare For Change, and Lead Change