There, I’ve said it. Teamwork, it can be hailed often as one of the most critical skills for success and more often than not you will be asked a question around teamworking in any professional interview. However, not everyone naturally thrives in a team setting. If you find yourself struggling with teamwork, you’re not alone. There are various reasons why this might be the case and fortunately, there are also ways to overcome those obstacles.
Reasons for struggling with teamwork
Independence: Some of us simply prefer working alone. They enjoy the autonomy of setting their own goals and timelines without having to coordinate with others. This independence can create a sense of control and satisfaction that is harder to achieve in a team.
Communication challenges: Effective teamwork requires clear and open communication. If you find it difficult to express your ideas or feel anxious about speaking up in a group, this can hinder your ability to contribute effectively.
Conflict aversion: Teams and teamwork inevitably faces conflict. If you’re someone who avoids confrontation at all costs, you might find it stressful to navigate disagreements and differing opinions within a team setting.
Working Styles: We all have working styles. If these differ greatly across a team it can lead to misunderstandings and frustration.
Trust: If you’ve had negative experiences in the past or find it hard to trust others to deliver quality work, you might prefer to work solo.
Neurodiversity and other differences: Some traits make it difficult to interpret cues that are crucial to team interactions such as tone of voice and body language. Sensory challenges can also make it difficult to work in crowded spaces.
Overcoming the challenges
Build skills: Practice active listening and clear articulation of your ideas. Start by sharing your thoughts in smaller, more comfortable settings and gradually build up to larger group discussions. Where you find challenges, find someone you trust to share your thoughts and feelings. Sometimes we need to be uncomfortable to ultimately learn new skills. Instead of avoiding disagreements, try to view them as opportunities for growth and improvement. Practice empathy by considering other perspectives and finding common ground.
Embrace flexibility: Recognise that different working styles can complement each other. Be open to adapting your methods and learning from your teammates. This flexibility can lead to innovative solutions and a closer team dynamic.
Foster Trust: Although it takes time and effort, the trust equation is a good building block to work on what you need to do to gain trust and to spot what others’ need to do for you to trust them.
Seek feedback and reflect often: Regularly seek feedback from your teammates and reflect on your experiences. Identify areas where you can improve and celebrate your progress. Reflection is not about judging it’s about knowing so always approach reflection with curiosity and not criticism.
Working in a team does not come naturally to everyone, in fact some of us will avoid roles that require it and that’s also an option. For others’, it is a skill that can be developed with conscious effort and practice. By understanding the reasons behind your challenges and actively working to address them, you can become a more effective team member.
