An organization relies on teamwork to function and to achieve its objectives. But a team, being made up of diverse people, must be understood in relation to this: to its diversity.

A team, understood under this approach, needs a “good leader” who understands them with their multiple differences and puts them at the center; one who is aware that his management must be flexible, who understands the motivation of each employee and connects emotionally. That is why leadership and teamwork go hand in hand if what is sought is to achieve the objectives. Read on, we will tell you more in this article.

How to create a leadership dynamic?

To be able to lead a team, and to know how to do it correctly, implies an important work of who is at the head. But what is the best way to exercise leadership? There is not only one way, but this will depend on the type of leader, that is to say, on his or her own style at the moment of commanding a team. And, according to this, leadership dynamics are established: guidelines aimed at leaders (directors or managers in a company, for example) to improve their skills when it comes to commanding a team.

All this is aimed at motivating the team, exercising flexibility in the face of circumstances, generating a good working environment, taking initiative in the face of problems and being able to organize the team, for example.

This is achieved through certain leadership and teamwork activities that we will see below.

What are teamwork dynamics?

Teamwork dynamics are understood as a series of behaviors of its members, which impact the work or relationships among them. For these dynamics to be the desired ones, different tools, techniques and processes can be used to help a team to cohere, improve their confidence and the work they do. Likewise, whoever leads a team benefits from this if he understands the importance of teamwork dynamics, since he can apply the precise tools that best allow him to achieve the objectives set by the organization.

The person who exercises leadership is also the person in charge of ensuring that the dynamics of teamwork are good. And to do this correctly, he/she must conceive the role that communication plays in this: one that must be efficient, effective and open, bearing in mind the job satisfaction of those who make up the work teams. We must not forget that the teams, the people, are the fundamental piece to give life and body to the organizations. And that communication is a key piece in this equation.

In this scenario, priority should be given to communication that includes all possible forms of communication such as, for example, the correct use of e-mail, the use of digital work platforms, regular meetings and the sharing of documents to avoid ambiguities. Also, apply exercises and activities in pursuit of a positive teamwork dynamic.

Exercises to strengthen teamwork dynamics

There are a series of exercises that allow to strengthen the dynamics of team work, such as exercises related to connection or cohesion, collaboration, creativity, among others. Let’s see some of them:

• Company Trivia. This group cohesion exercise is simple and does not require additional resources. It involves asking relevant questions, such as trivia, about the workplace, which is something that binds all members of an organization (the place where they work). This exercise engages people and enhances team bonding.
• Code of conduct. This exercise generates consensus on shared values among team members, based on building mutual trust, establishing group values and fostering group cohesion. To achieve this, teams are invited to list what is important to them on a whiteboard.

Shark Tank. Referring to the TV show Shark Tank (or “Negotiating with sharks”) where you can present your ideas in front of investors or “sharks”, and the team with the highest investment wins. This game would be a replica of that. Its main objective is to motivate collaboration, unconventional thinking, trust and entrepreneurship in a team.

• Treasure hunt. This exercise encourages good communication, collaboration and problem solving. A group is given a list of tests that they must overcome through teamwork, and together they must achieve it.
• Technique 5.5.5. What is it about? Simple: It is a dynamic to develop creative ideas in a limited time. For this, groups of 5 are formed, and they have to write down 5 creative ideas in a time of 5 minutes.
• The desert island. This is a group dynamic in which all participants are asked a single question: if you had to go to a desert island, what objects would you take with you? The answer is based on strategy and creativity, crucial aspects of teamwork and leadership.

How to improve the combination between leadership and teamwork?

As we said at the beginning: in teamwork, the role of the leader is key. But are all leaders the same? Certainly not.

There are different types of leaders: authoritarian, collaborative, delegating, visionary, coaching, relationship-focused, democratic, dominant and more. But which of these is the most successful?

There is no one who has the power over the others, but the truth is that a “good leader” is the one who has good leadership dynamics to achieve also good teamwork dynamics. Generally, that good leader can be a combination of several types of leadership and, for this reason, he/she is inclined to motivation, leadership and good communication. In this sense, he/she must possess different characteristics that encourage the team, such as communication skills, empathy, coordination and management skills, motivation and inspiration, business planning and problem-solving skills.

Open and honest communication

This only brings benefits, because when a leader applies them, it teaches the correct way in which the work team should communicate, thus helping to improve the communication skills of its members.

And how should this communication be? It should highlight communication skills, such as having the ability to maintain active listening, exercise empathy and closeness, be clear and know how to respond, have the right amount of self-criticism and adapt communication according to the circumstances.

Create collaborative goals

Encouraging collaborative goals by a leader inspires others to work together as a team in a committed way toward a common goal.

This brings disparate teams together, helps solve problems, and enables the sharing of valuable information for the organization that would otherwise be more difficult to achieve.

Role playing

Role playing is a well-known type of exercise that is strictly speaking a psychotherapy technique, but in this case it is taken to a practical application.

In this type of exercise, participants become actors who put themselves in other people’s shoes and play a role in an imaginary situation. This can lead to team members taking on roles quite contrary to their own, and they will have to solve situations according to this new role.

Provide adequate resources and training

In order to exercise good leadership, it is necessary to provide and contribute the necessary resources to make this possible.

In this sense, some points to consider would be to generate a good work environment; train and constantly motivate the members of the work team; establish a communication dynamic; and encourage healthy competition among team members.

The work of a leader is so crucial that it can change the course of an organization and of the teams that make it up; and this course can be auspicious if a “good work” is carried out that focuses on effectively improving the dynamics of teamwork; one that is diverse, heterogeneous, unique, and that must be understood and directed precisely from that diversity.

The result of this can only be to foster a positive, healthy and productive work environment. A fertile ground so that the objectives can be achieved.

Get this and more by consulting with one of our consultants. We invite you to talk to us.