The power of teamwork and how it can help a business succeed

Just how important is teamwork when you’re building a business? Some leaders believe teams that function well together can lead to massive success for a business. Likewise, a poor functioning team can destroy one. It was the outstanding entrepreneur and innovator Steve Jobs who once said, “Great things in business are never done by one person. They’re done by a team of people.” Considering Steve Jobs built Apple, it seems taking a page from Jobs’ book is a way to ensure your own success.

In fact, science agrees. Researchers have found that groups outperform individuals, that diversity in teams breeds creativity, that teams boost productivity, and so much more. If you’re looking to build a business that’s innovative, efficient, and filled with people who want to come to work every day, you’ll want to take the steps to make sure your teams have what they need to succeed. Here’s how you can do just that.

A singular vision is critical for any team. It helps them focus on forward momentum. It helps them to know what to work toward. It even helps you know where to steer the ship. When everyone has the same target they’re headed toward, it leads to better results. Teams are more willing to collaborate, take ownership of their roles, and grow the business when they believe they are sharing in the vision of the company. Giving your team a vision to work toward can ensure they purposefully drive the company toward success.

What type of outcomes do you want from your team? When you know what you want from your team, you need to set clear goals for how to get there. Goals are essentially the road map for how to get the desired outcomes you want for your business. When those goals are clear, each team member knows the role they are filling, and they understand what it takes to get to the finish line. Clear goals tend to create accountability between teammates, and it helps them all track and meet their individual goals on the way to the larger goal. Clear goals are a recipe for success.

Poor communication is costly to a business. In fact, in the report “The Cost of Poor Communications,” larger companies reported an average loss of over $62 million per year because of a lack of communication. Even in smaller companies, it can be costly to not communicate well. When it comes to teamwork, clear communication builds trust, encourages transparency between team members, and leads to more innovation and creativity. It can even increase the wellbeing of your employees. These facts can be crucial to the success of your business.

When individuals on teams are held accountable to one another a few things happen. They’re more likely to meet deadlines. They work more efficiently together. They push toward long-term goals. They can even be more profitable. Encourage accountability on your team by holding regular check-ins to plan, set goals, or simply share progress reports. When everyone on the team feels their role is part of the larger plan and they’re willing to take responsibility for their part of it, great things happen.

What does your team need to function properly together? It may be software systems that allow them to track their projects and deadlines. Maybe it’s providing feedback. It could be regular training or a collaboration system. When your team has the tools they need to work together, it will empower them and set them up for success both now and well into the future.

Teamwork is crucial to a company’s success, which is why you should be entirely invested in connecting your staff as a team. With clear communication and the right tools and encouragement, teamwork may help your company grow, innovate, and succeed beyond your wildest imagination. Just like it did for Steve Jobs.

Jim Allen is a business leader and entrepreneur who has built one of the top-producing real estate groups in the Triangle. He is President of The Jim Allen Group, which is consistently named one of the top real estate teams in North Carolina and even North America.