Individuals who are team oriented are essential to any workplace. They tend to be more engaged, productive, and have higher morale than those who are not. They help keep teams together, drive teamwork, and invigorate the workplace. They also help improve the overall workplace culture, which has numerous benefits as well. But what’s team oriented actually mean?
Being team oriented, meaning that you put the well-being of the team first, is all about focusing on the whole. Team oriented individuals focus on the team and its goals, putting their effort towards the team instead of themselves. And as you’ll soon find out, they are essential for any successful workplace.
In this blog, we’re going to focus on what it means to be team oriented. We’ll look at characteristics of team oriented individuals, the benefits of a team oriented culture, how to build a team oriented environment, and some tips to help foster it.
Characteristics of Team Oriented Individuals
First, let’s start by looking at some of the basics, beginning with the team oriented definition. A simple definition of team oriented is, “working within a team and putting your focus on the well-being of the team.” What’s that mean in the real world though?
In practice, it means prioritizing the team as a whole vs yourself. For example, say you’re working on a project alongside someone you have some disagreements with. If you aren’t a team player, you might let your own passions and ego take over, resulting in arguments and disagreements with that person. From there, that could easily spiral into bigger drama amongst the team.
A team player however would handle that situation differently. Instead of letting their emotions get the better of them, they would do their best to make it work. They might try to focus on the actual work, come to a compromise of sorts, and figure out how they can work together to accomplish their goals as a team despite any disagreements. That’s just one example, but team oriented individuals ultimately put the team and its well-being first.
Going further, let’s look at a few characteristics of team centered individuals. One of the first things you’ll notice is that they are great at collaboration and communication. They are able to communicate clearly and effectively with their coworkers, working together well to accomplish their goals. They understand the importance of communication, and they use it to drive their collaborations.
Another characteristic is flexibility and adaptability. As we all know, things rarely seem to go as planned. That’s even more true when you’re working with teams. Things happen, plans change, and you need to be flexible. Team oriented people know that adapting to changes is important for the well-being of the team, so they do their best to “go with the flow” and stay focused on what really matters—the team as a whole.
Lastly, team oriented workers are usually positive and supportive. We all require some positivity and support from time to time, and it’s an important part of maintaining a healthy environment in your team. Those who are team oriented try to support those around them and stay positive, uplifting the entire team.
Benefits of Team Oriented Culture
With the “what” out of the why, let’s spend some time looking at the “why.” There are many benefits of having a team oriented culture, and understanding those benefits will make it easier for you to create the culture you want. So we’re going to cover some of the key benefits of a team oriented culture.
One of the biggest benefits, especially from a business perspective, is the increased productivity. It shouldn’t come as a shock that teams that are healthy, supportive, and focus on the overall team tend to do better. When everyone is working together and placing an emphasis on the team’s well-being, they are more productive. They work better together and get more accomplished, which is good for them personally and the bottom line.
Another big benefit is enhanced creativity and innovation. Again, it makes sense that a team working together to support one another ends up being more creative and innovative. Innovation and creativity often rely on people coming together, using each other’s strengths, and creating something none of them could have individually. A team that can work together well and collaborate can do wonders for creativity.
The last benefit we’ll list here is improved employee satisfaction and retention, but it’s a pretty important one. Creating a team oriented culture helps create a better work culture overall. That in and of itself has numerous benefits.
With a positive culture, employees feel better. They’re less burnt out, less stressed, more engaged, energized, and productive. At the end of the day, a positive culture means happier employees and better work, which is a big benefit for any business.
Moreover, that also means improved employee satisfaction and retention. Employees feel like they matter, are part of something bigger, and are supported by those around them. That makes them feel more satisfied with work, resulting in better output. On top of that, it also means higher retention rates since employees won’t feel the need to leave and go elsewhere.
How To Build a Team Oriented Environment
Now, the next question is “how do you build a team oriented environment?” Though it is a simple question, there are a lot of different aspects to cover. So let’s look at the basics of creating a team oriented environment.
As with many things in the workplace, it starts at the top. Leaders first and foremost need to show employees what being team oriented really means. People follow by example, and they won’t be team oriented if their leaders aren’t. That means leaders need to first become team oriented.
There are lots of ways leaders can start putting the team and its well-being first. Team oriented leaders need to communicate clearly and effectively. Talk to your employees about what’s going on, ask how you can help or support them, and be honest. Give employees the chance to talk to you directly, and actually listen to their concerns or input. Be open minded and trust your team. Communication is key here.
Team oriented leaders also need to know their teams well. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. Good leaders know those well, and they use that knowledge to make decisions that benefit the team and its wellbeing.
You should also make sure your employees feel valued and cared about. Celebrate their successes, and make it a point to acknowledge their hard work. Consider rewards for big victories or accomplishments. Something as simple as that can go a long way in showing how much you care about the team and their successes.
If leaders are doing all of those things—communicating effectively, trusting those around them, acknowledging successes, placing the team first—it’s possible to create a team oriented environment. However, that’s not all there is to it. Employees and team members have a responsibility as well.
Employees then need to do all of those things as well. They need to communicate, build employee connections, trust each other, celebrate their wins, and put the team first. Though it does get much easier when a leader is doing all of those things too, it can still be a struggle. Team building can be a good solution.
With team building, you can focus on team oriented skills like communication and trust, helping better those skills for the whole team. For example, Breaking Barriers is a fun karate based event where teams overcome their own self-imposed limitations and work motivation, confidence, and leaving your comfort zone. Team Teddy Rescue Bear has teams work together to create teddy bears for those in need, emphasizing teamwork, creativity, and looking at the bigger picture.
Tips for Individuals To Foster Team Orientation
Before ending things for this article, let’s touch on some tips for fostering a team-centered culture. Creating a team oriented workplace can be tough, but these tips should help make it a little easier.
A key tip is to focus on communication. It’s impossible to create a team oriented culture without having good communication, so it’s something you need to focus on. Practice active listening, make sure everyone has the chance to be heard, and take peoples’ input/concerns seriously.
Another tip is to develop teamwork skills. As you’d expect by now, teamwork is essential if you want to be team oriented. Take the time to help people bolster their teamwork skills. Consider exercises, activities, team building, and more to help improve teamwork.
Lastly, try to encourage and embrace a collaborative mindset. Let people work together, pool their talents, and work as teams. Again, exercises, activities, and team building exercises can be a great resource for encouraging a collaborative mindset. Also, this is another place where leaders need to lead by example. Show your teams that you are willing to work together with them and be a team player.
Focus on Your Team with TeamBonding
A team oriented culture is essential if you want your teams and workplace to be at their best. When people are team oriented, they put the team and its well-being first. And in turn, that results in numerous benefits such as increased productivity, creativity, innovation, retention, satisfaction, and more.
Though creating a team oriented culture may seem difficult, it is achievable. By leading by example, focusing on team oriented skills such as communication, and valuing your team members and coworkers, you can create a team oriented workplace that uplifts everyone.
If you’re ready to put a focus on your team, consider TeamBonding. We have over 20 years of experience putting together corporate events, and we have a multitude of events perfect for focusing on team orientation. So take action and get in touch with us today!
