When two or more people work cohesively to achieve a common goal, it is called team work. If we have to define team work in Management parlance – a great leader cannot attain success with weak and marginal team members, while a team of reasonably talented and enthusiastic individuals who look beyond their personal accomplishments will thrive and emerge successful even when led by an ordinary leader. For consistent and continuous success, it is very important to keep the team motivated.
When we speak of organizations, it is seen that in the initial years, the founders accomplish great successes and script history. But those very organizations stop progressing after a certain level of growth because of the following reasons – ignoring team strengths, leaders becoming self-obsessed with their successes and not giving credit to others etc. These are the main reasons why a team that performs exceedingly well disintegrates later and those who get recruited in their positions do not perform as well as their predecessors. An overconfident leader either fails to understand the situation or it is too late by the time realization dawns upon him.
It’s unfortunate that many leaders even today think that they are behind the successes achieved by their teams, whereas the truth is in total contrast to that. If the team is not enthusiastic and motivated, then no ambitious project can be accomplished. If a leader thinks that he is capable of executing the project whether his team members perform well or not, it would be a grave mistake. In reality, a hardworking and capable individual can achieve a certain level of success. But to be able to succeed consistently and move forward, it is essential to collaborate in a team.
When a leader does not receive cooperation from his team, he could proceed as a one-man army, but with passage of time, enthusiasm fizzles out. However, when he works as part of a team, any project can be completed with zeal and enthusiasm. No team becomes strong all by itself. In order for a team to be strong, each of its members should cooperate with one another, have love and respect for each other. In addition to this, they should be kept motivated, which is what makes the role of an able leader important.
In the wars fought in ancient times and middle ages, the role of an army chief was of utmost importance. It was he who inspired the soldiers and kept his team motivated while fighting in accordance with the war strategy. It was the ability of the Army Commander to devise appropriate war strategies and the ability of soldiers to execute those that decided the fate of a war. Neither could the army commander alone win a war nor his army without his leadership. Similarly, when a big task needs to be accomplished, the leader of the project plays the role of the army commander and provides guidance, while the team exhibits their expertise in executing the job like a soldier.
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much. – Helen Keller”
In present times, we can see the importance and relevance of team work in any domain. It is seen that a leader who can keep his team together and motivated achieves greater success than other teams or departments. For a team to work cohesively, it is very important that the leader keeps a channel of communication open with his team members. Very often it is seen that those who work together in a team or department are jealous of one another which weakens the team.
It is the leader who regularly and periodically meets and talks with the team members, resolves conflicts and misunderstandings and establishes an environment of cooperation and understanding in the team. He continuously keeps the team motivated and energetic. It is the unique ability of the leader to identify the strengths and weaknesses of each and every member of his team and turn those weaknesses into strengths.
It has been seen that a team that is devoid of enthusiasm and confidence never wants to take up a challenge. They not only manage to dodge the challenge under one pretext or another but also create conditions such that no challenging task is even offered to them henceforth. On the other hand, a team that is committed and excited not only jumps at the chance of a challenging task but also completes it ahead of schedule. The leaders of both these kinds of teams are held responsible for their performance. On one side is a leader who is himself indifferent and hence makes the team depressed and unresponsive, while on the other side is a leader who himself is brimming with enthusiasm and as a result invigorates his team members too.
It is not sufficient for a leader to delegate the various tasks to his team members and consider that his responsibility is over. He cannot elicit great performance from his team by keeping them under constant pressure. For a team to be consistently successful, the team leader should understand the problems being faced by the team members. He should empathize with them. He should become a part of their happiness and sorrows and share an emotional bond with them. He should help them to the extent possible and establish a healthy rapport.
When a team realizes the fact that their leader will walk with them through thick and thin and will act as their shield from all external pressures, then such a team gets ready to do anything at the bidding of such a leader. They will be ready to sacrifice their comforts and face the challenges that come their way because they do not want a bad reputation for their team or their leader.
This is how the role of both the leader and his team are both very significant and when they work together, they can accomplish the most difficult tasks quite easily. But if they disintegrate, even the smallest of tasks will appear unsurmountable. That is why team work is very important to accomplish any task.
“Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success. – Henry Ford”
Source: Akhand Jyoti Magazine May-June 2019