Practice Teamwork Skills
It’s amazing how much you can accomplish when it doesn’t matter who gets the credit. - Anonymous
Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results. - Andrew Carnegie
A group becomes a team when each member is sure enough of himself and his contribution to praise the skills of the others. - Norman Shidle
Michael, if you can’t pass, you can’t play. - Coach Dean Smith to Michael Jordan his freshman year at UNC
More and more employers are looking for candidates that have solid soft skills. Today’s professional environment often requires employees to work together on a team, engaging in a collaborative effort that contributes to greater productivity and success. Regardless of your current position or job requirements, honing up on your teamwork skills will increase your appeal and make your employment a more pleasant and rewarding experience. Here are seven things you can do that will accomplish that:
1. Practice active listening
We offer this first tip for a reason. Many struggle with teamwork because they falsely believe their ideas are the best which often makes listening to others difficult. However, in order for a team to be effective, a team player listens to what other team members have to share, measuring their ideas as objectively as possible.
2. Communicate effectively
Successful teams have members that communicate effectively. While this includes listening, it also requires you to share your ideas in a clear and succinct manner. You must also respond to emails promptly and ensure that you follow-up on important correspondence.
3. Freely give praise
Another team member’s success doesn’t diminish your contribution. Your ability to recognize and acknowledge a team member’s success is important; it builds team morale and generates good feelings among teammates.
4. Take responsibility
Never point the finger of blame when something goes wrong. On the other hand, you should always take responsibility when you’ve made a mistake. Trying to justify your actions or unfairly shift the responsibility to a team member never makes you look good. Your coworkers will appreciate your willingness to own your actions. It will also enable the team to focus their attention on resolving any resulting problems.
5. Cooperate
Offer your help when you recognize that a team member is struggling or could use assistance. The purpose of a team is to combine your skills and expertise to accomplish a common purpose. This requires a hearty dose of cooperation.
6. Exhibit flexibility
A team must coordinate a large number of schedules, opinions, and ideas. In order for the team to be successful everyone must be flexible to a certain extent. Be open-minded and look for ways you can contribute by altering your schedule or changing your perspective.
7. Openly share ideas
You may have a killer idea that you think would save the day, or maybe the project. Hoarding your ideas will only hurt the team in the end. It won’t make you look any better either.
As an accountant, you have access to important financial information that can greatly contribute to a business’s success. However, in order for that information to be put to good use, you must practice teamwork skills. Applying the above tips will enable you to develop those soft skills that have become crucial in the workplace. It will also contribute to your employer’s success, which in turn makes you a more valuable employee.
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