Imagine working with a company that doesn’t value teamwork, it’s not only a loss to the workers but the company as well.  With teamwork, teams are believed to make work more efficient and it creates productivity, reduced costs, greater profitability, among other benefits.

According to Nicholas Nkurunziza, a CEO at a local IT firm in Kigali, effective teamwork is the key to a successful business, as it increases productivity levels and produces better solutions to problems. Companies that stimulate a friendly and collaborative work environment will be the ones to succeed in the business world.

Give roles and accountabilities 

Nkurunziza stresses that for the team to succeed, each member should know what their role and responsibility is in the team, but also what the roles and responsibilities of others are. Team members should also make an agreement on what needs to be done and who should perform it. Each member must be responsible and accountable for completing their own tasks.

Although accountability is difficult to implement in the workplace, it fuels successful organisations. While accountability at work is critically important, it also needs to be balanced with the need to give employees independence in their roles, he says.

Nkurunziza stresses that accountability in the workplace is all about setting and holding people to a common expectation by clearly defining the company’s mission, values, and goals. Employee accountability means holding all levels of employees in charge of accomplishing business goals.

Be clear about missions and goals

He also adds that building a better team calls for engaging stuff in the mission and goals of a company.

Research shows that  73 per cent of employees who report working for a ‘purpose-driven’ company are engaged compared to just 23 per cent  at ‘non-purpose driven’ companies. This shows how communicating your company’s purpose plays a pivotal role in determining employee engagement levels.

Nkurunziza points out that engaged employees don’t only care about the company’s mission, but also go above and beyond to achieve it. The company’s mission gives employees a great understanding of the company as a whole thus allowing them to be more self-reliant at work. 

Make decisions together 

For Diane Teta, a business executive in Remera, employees ought to be given an opportunity to make decisions so as to feel their contribution is valued. The process of sharing opinions and discussing work matters and can foster a sense of teamwork and improve relationships between workers themselves.

However, Teta highlights that making decisions should be based on open conversations with all members, allowing them to give their ideas and solutions to problems. Members should have the team’s support and commitment in making decisions and executing them, she says. 

Create a productive work environment

The most important thing that influences employee’s motivation and happiness, and how productive and efficient they can be, is the working environment. While working on a project, find a room or space that will allow your team to maximize communication without affecting the rest of the workplace. Make sure your co-workers have all the tools they need to begin the project, she says. 

Communicate openly

Indeed.com, a career guide platform, notes that open, honest and respectful communication is vital to effective teamwork. Team members need to feel comfortable expressing their ideas and opinions so that each individual contributes to their full potential. Clear communication leads to more trust among team members and breaks down barriers that can slow down a team’s work.

"To set a foundation for strong communication, establish expectations and best practices. This includes when and how you should use different methods of communication such as emails, online messaging, phone calls and in-person meetings.”