People Insights Model: Teamwork & Collaboration

Overview

Teamwork & Collaboration refers to the extent to which teams work as intended to produce desired organizational outcomes. The concept includes whether teams work well within themselves (e.g., whether team members get along and can work together productively), but also cross-functional collaboration, and how teams across different parts of the organization work together. A critical part of any team is also its manager — to which having a manager that enables team success and produces psychological safety is critical in ensuring the teams feel supported.

Perceptyx Research and Insights

• Leverage 360 Feedback to Drive Organizational Development Initiatives (Dec 2024): 

  • While 360 feedback is widely known for fostering individual self-awareness and professional growth, its benefits extend far beyond the individual. It can also play a pivotal role in advancing four key organizational development initiatives, one of which is teamwork.

• 360 feedback strengthens teamwork by identifying gaps in communication and collaboration. An engineering team used it to uncover these challenges, leading to a peer coaching model that improved relationships, engagement, and overall performance.

• The Ultimate Leader Checklist (July 2024): 

  • Managing teams across multiple locations requires new strategies that go beyond traditional techniques like impromptu office and cubicle visits (or virtual huddles) to check on employees. 

  • Team cohesion is essential for keeping employees connected and engaged, whether they work remotely, in a hybrid setting, or in person. Encouraging team input on preferred ways to connect and allowing time for meaningful interactions strengthens their sense of belonging and retention. 

Key Action Planning Considerations

When managers respond to employee feedback on teamwork and collaboration, they should focus on creating an environment that fosters trust, open communication, and effective interpersonal dynamics. Addressing teamwork-related feedback requires a balanced approach that considers individual needs, team dynamics, and organizational goals. Here are some key considerations:

• Encourage Open Communication and Psychological Safety: For effective teamwork, employees need to feel safe sharing ideas, asking questions, and expressing concerns. Managers should work to build a culture of psychological safety, where team members can openly communicate without fear of judgment or negative consequences. Open communication enhances problem-solving and ensures that everyone’s input is valued.

• Promote Inclusive Collaboration: Diverse teams often have varied working styles and perspectives, which can either enrich teamwork or lead to challenges. Managers should encourage inclusivity by valuing different opinions and fostering a collaborative environment where all team members feel heard. An inclusive approach not only strengthens team cohesion but also leads to more innovative solutions.

• Seek Opportunities for Cross-Functional Collaboration: Cross-functional collaboration broadens perspectives and fosters innovation by bringing diverse skills together. Managers should create opportunities for team members to work with other departments on joint projects, ensuring that insights from different functional areas contribute to comprehensive solutions and a more unified organizational approach.

• Balance Individual and Team Recognition: Effective teamwork requires balancing individual autonomy with collaborative effort. Managers should ensure that team recognition is fair and doesn’t overshadow individual contributions. Recognizing both team efforts and individual excellence motivates team members to contribute their best without feeling that their personal contributions are undervalued.