10 priceless benefits of teamwork in the workplace

Discover why promoting teamwork in your office will embolden your people, improve your process, and reinvigorate your company.

What’s the biggest thing The Avengers, The Lord of the Rings, and Ocean’s Eleven have in common? If you’ve read the title of this article, you’ve probably already guessed the answer (hint: its teamwork). There’s a reason why stories about teams overcoming adversity to reach shared goals are so popular. People want that kind of camaraderie—that sense of united effort that leads to united accomplishment.

Your employees may not be facing dark lords, world-ending calamities, or the Kingpin of the Las Vegas casino scene, but every job has challenges to overcome. And it’s been proven time and again: teamwork works. Survey results reveal when employees feel connected to their teams, there is a 55% increase in engagement and an 83% increase in the incidence of great work.

Let’s take a look at how promoting healthy teamwork throughout your workplace benefits you, your employees, and your whole company.

The benefits of effective teamwork

A smoother process through defined roles and objectives

Being on a team doesn’t mean everyone does the same thing—in fact, it’s quite the opposite. Effective teams comprise people who clearly understand their roles, what’s expected of them, and how they fit in the company. This decreases project confusion and increases productivity and process flow.

More creativity because of diverse talents

Speaking of defined roles, one of the best aspects of being part of a team is getting to work with people who bring unique talents to the table. A diverse group of people with individual strengths creates a dynamic atmosphere where creativity can thrive—and also helps employees grow and develop as they learn from each other’s skills.

An increased sense of individual autonomy

More and more, autonomy is being asked for by employees—and the results clearly indicate why you should give it to them. Research shows when you trust team members to make decisions and work autonomously, there is a 33% increase in employees feeling like they are working for a winning team. This gives team members a sense of ownership of their work, and a desire to work even harder.

Employees feel safe to express out-of-the-box ideas

Strong teams build trust and psychological safety—both of which are invaluable for creating a culture where employees feel comfortable sharing radical ideas. It also gives people the confidence to approach projects from a different angle than they would if they worked by themselves—and that small difference could lead to big payoffs.

Less reliance on management

Team leaders are important, but their roles as infallible authority figures are phasing out of the modern workplace. Instead, self-managing teams are taking their place. This is a good thing, as team members develop stronger bonds when they can resolve conflicts and problem solve without needing to call a manager every time.

Fewer instances of employee burnout

A recent survey shows that a reduction in giving and receiving recognition leads to increased odds of burnout by 45% and 48%, respectively. While you should always ensure your employees receive recognition from team leaders, it’s just as important to develop a culture that fosters enthusiastic peer-to-peer recognition. This way, employees receive appreciation not just from those in leadership roles, but also their friends and coworkers.

Higher project efficiency through open communication

While it’s talked about often, many employers still don’t understand the full advantages of team communication. When team members have open communication—both inside a single team and from one team to another—you’ll see increased process flow, smoother project completion, and significantly improved service.

Retaining employees for longer

Have you ever considered staying at a job just because you loved your coworkers? Whether you have or not, it’s a decision many employees have had to make. People want to stay where they are valued, where they feel connected, where they feel like family. While your leaders should always value their people, creating an environment that lets coworkers truly bond will help you keep your employees longer.

More successes shared by more people

A single employee may experience a few individual successes over the course of their career, but when you’re part of a team, your rate of success significantly increases. This is a natural way to boost employee motivation as your team works together toward united achievements. It also gives your company a great excuse to hold a celebration when they accomplish their goals!

Employees enjoy a greater sense of belonging

Employees who feel a sense of belonging within their company are 5.3 times more likely to feel empowered to perform their best work. Healthy, collaborative teamwork will help your employees develop strong relationships that will enrich their lives both inside and outside the office.

The benefits of teamwork in your work environment cannot be overstated. There are few investments you can make that will return such significant rewards. Now that you’ve seen the extent of what teamwork can do, it’s time to get the benefits for your company—and more importantly, for your people.