Is Your Team Struggling to Collaborate? Try these 5 Strategies to Get the Crew Clicking

One of the most significant challenges that leaders face is the lack of connection between team members. Imagine your team as players scattered across different fields, each unaware of what the others are doing. This scenario isn’t just messy and disorganized – it’s a productivity killer.

Disconnected teams struggle to achieve their goals, leading to frustration and inefficiency all around.

In today’s fast-paced business world, team cohesion isn’t just a ‘nice-to-have’ – it’s a must. If we want to get more than just the bare minimum of results, we need to move beyond just getting things done and focus on building strong connections between team members. When employees feel connected, everyone benefits. Think:

● Better team synergy

● Higher morale

● A boost in overall productivity

Encouraging collaboration over competition takes time and ongoing effort – it’s not an instant transformation.

…So how do we get there?

How do you foster a collaborative team environment when it just isn’t happening and nobody else is ‘feeling’ it?

Fear not! With the right strategies, you can transform your team dynamics, creating a positive, productive and motivating environment where everyone thrives.

Drawing from my experience as an Organizational Transformation Consultant and my time with Cirque du Soleil, where both effective teamwork and good team spirit were crucial, I’m here to share actionable tips to strengthen your team’s interconnectedness, and hopefully inject some camaraderie into the mix too!

Follow these 5 top tips to create a motivated and united team

1. Cross-Team Projects

Recommended action:
Facilitate frequent opportunities for inter-departmental communication on shared projects.

Reason:
It kills any existing awkwardness between teams. When teams work together, theybuild trust and understanding, leading to better collaboration and innovation. Encourage projects that require input and effort from multiple departments to create a sense of unity and shared purpose.

2. Team Coaching

Recommended action:
Offer team coaching.

Reason:
Coaching sessions can help teams understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses, improving overall performance and cohesion. Team coaching does more than identify core challenges – it’s a journey where your team (not just you) spots the gaps, defines goals, and hits on solutions that work for everyone, together. This collective problem-solving approach fosters a sense of ownership and accountability.

PS: This is not an overnight process. Expect to spend 8-10 months on team coaching to make sustainable changes within your team. (We go into this more here but would happily answer any questions on a call if you’re still left wondering what it’s all about or where to start.)

3. Mentoring Program

Recommended action:
Pair employees up across levels and departments, and watch as personal mentor-mentee connections are forged.

Reason:
Mentorship programs boost trust, self-awareness and self-esteem, while facilitating the transfer of knowledge and skills.

Here’s a quick guide to creating an effective cross-team mentoring program on your own, which I also chat through in this video:

● Define objectives: Figure out what you want to achieve – think about how this will boost professional development, skills, and business goals.

● Gain executive buy-in: Get your execs on board with a convincing pitch to secure their support and resources.

● Choose a model: Decide whether 1:1, group, virtual, in-person, or reverse mentoring best suits your goals.

● Establish guidelines: Set clear rules and expectations to keep things consistent and smooth.

● Identify participants: Pick out early-career folks, mid-career pros, and those gearing up for leadership.

● Recruit and train mentors: Find mentors who are experienced and eager to help, and give them the training they need.

● Pairing process: Make thoughtful matches that benefit everyone involved.

● Launch program: Roll it out with a bang – make sure everyone knows about it!

● Ongoing support: Have a go-to person for any questions or issues.

● Evaluate and celebrate: Gather feedback and celebrate everyone’s hard workand contributions.

● Sustain the program: Keep it fresh and evolving, and make sure it doesn’tdepend on just one person.

4. Recognition & Appreciation

Recommended action:
Celebrate team wins, big and small.

Reason:
Don’t we all enjoy a pat on the back for our hard-earned results? According to Gallup, engaged employees are 59% less likely to look for a new job in the next 12 months! Recognition and appreciation can (and should) come from managers, but implementing a peer recognition program throughout your organization or department encourages employees to recognize their peers’ accomplishments as well.

You’ll love watching the team spirit grow as coworkers give each other well-deserved shout-outs for their achievements. And you’ll soon realize that retention doesn’t have to come from monetary rewards alone.

Check out my insider tips for designing a solid Employee Recognition Program in this video.

5. Effective Communication

Recommended action:
Practice intentional communication daily via regular meetings, updates, and an open- door policy.

Reason:
No one’s ever been called out for communicating ‘too effectively’, have they? Every interaction should be an opportunity to strengthen connections within your team by clarifying expectations, sharing feedback, and brainstorming ideas. This ensures everyone feels heard and is on the same page.

As a skill, effective communication isn’t just a box to check but something that improves through constant practice. It’s definitely worth the effort to create a workplace culture where openness and clarity thrive.

Bonus Tip: Lead by Example!

Your leadership team should model all that you expect from your own team. Remember: monkey see, monkey do!

Over to You!

Give these tips a shot and witness the positive transformation within your organization. Before you know it, employees will be mingling like old friends! A connected team is not only more productive, but also more innovative and resilient.

Book a two-hour strategy consultation today to learn how the Grow Better Together community can strengthen your team, transforming them into the foundation your organization needs.