In the advent of technological advancement, the word ‘workplace’ does not necessarily equate to the confines of concrete walls anymore. Nowadays, it could exist in an online platform found in the intangible World Wide Web. But one thing that did not change is the importance of team chemistry in a team – a web team in this case, for a work’s success.
What is Team Chemistry
“Team chemistry is the composition of a team and the relationships among team members,” as defined by Scott Williams, executive director of the Center for Innovative Management – Wright State University.
Team Chemistry does not only apply to sports but it pertains to any other workplace as well. An office is composed of individuals aiming for the same goal. A common goal glues all individual on a team but it does not guarantee that the group will be successful because every objective can have a thousand ways to attain it. Team chemistry makes all of the individuals to be on the same page. So by definition, Team Chemistry is what makes a team work in mutual understanding, and function efficiently and effectively.
How to Strengthen Team Chemistry
A high performance connotes a high team chemistry. So strengthening a team’s chemistry –strengthening an understanding involves identifying first what makes a high-performing team a high performer.
MIT’s Human Dynamics Laboratory identified the elusive group dynamics that characterize high-performing teams—those blessed with the energy, creativity, and shared commitment far surpass other teams. Since these dynamics are observable, quantifiable, and measurable, it can be deduced that teams can be taught how to strengthen them. These three are also closely related to the three vital aspects of communication – which is believed to be the most important measure of a group’s effectiveness, that affect team performance:
Energy
Energy is gauged by the number and nature of exchanges between team members
Engagement
Engagement is measured on how team members communicate with one another – the energy they give off in how they relay their messages is part of it. Teams that have an imbalance energy levels: wherein some members engage in high-energy communication while other members do not participate – don’t perform as well.
Exploration
Exploration involves communication that members engage in outside their team. Higher performing teams tend to look for more outside connections in order to look at things in a fresher and different perspective, thus innovative ideas are usually born from a high-performing team.
Leaders can assess these factors and see what areas are needed to be improved on.
Now you might ask how these are applicable with people working continents and miles away from each other and in front of their respective gadgets. Energy, Engagement and Exploration can still be tracked by a web team’s manager or leader by using specific techniques. One-on-one interviews can also be conducted on their off-days. Their behaviors in conferences can also be observed and taken note of, as well as their individual performances. Web teams that have a high team chemistry aren’t done and could not be done overnight. In any team, whether it a traditional one or a web team, a careful selection is necessary and continuous monitoring is crucial.
Why Team Chemistry is Important
If a team has a high work chemistry it has a domino effect on a business: Since a high work chemistry implies smooth and healthy interpersonal and intrapersonal relationships and an effective communication, this entails not having any or less issues between members and other stakeholders. Not having any or less issues eliminates the risk of a red-flag/out-of-proportion/work-disrupting conflict, and so it seems safe to say that errors that might occur because of this conflict is also eliminated. Less errors means that work can be finished on the dot or even earlier, and can lead to more work done. This can also mean that there’s lesser chance of late submissions, which reduces the likelihood of cost incurred on lateness and errors. More work done is also equal to more profit. More profit translates to better cash inflow and a favorable scenario to all.
By the end of the day, it’s really how you take care of your team that produces positive and generous results.
