I need advices and ideas on how to make my workteam work better together and work more as a team.?

Question

I also need advice on how to better our lines of communication. Also are daily or weekly meetings effective? Please keep in mind that I am not the team lead or the manager, just a regular employee trying to make a difference in my work environment.

Answer 1

Something I was able to do (as a regular worker) was to start a "Bagel Friday" and make a sign-up sheet. It was surprising how much conversation there was about what people would bring (types of bagels and spreads). It wasn't 'magic' but there was increased conversation, (as many times we would have the bagels in a common room so people could take 10-15 minutes to chat in the morning).

For meetings, insist on an agenda (make one if it doesn't exist). Make meetings short. Start on time and end on time.
Might make sense to have a weekly meeting (for 10 minutes) to give out common information.

Answer 2

Good teamwork depends on communication, cooperation, and confidence.

Regardless of the work environment - office or plant - people must be made aware of expectations of the manager, the department, and the company. "Zero defects" used to be the buzzword a few years ago, as was "Do it right the first time". Simple slogans motivated people to perform to a higher level of efficiency and productivity.

Cooperation is the glue that holds a team together. Without it, members are looking at their own self-interest, and not looking at the "big picture". An example of non-cooperation is a team of horses pulling a wagon, one North, the other South, the wagon doesn't move.

Team members must have confidence, not only in each other, to do the right thing at the right time, but also in the leader, supervisor, whoever is responsible for getting the project completed, to have or get the tools, information, equipment, and any other resources the team, or one of its members need to produce a quality result, on time, and under budget.

Answer 3

This will be a very difficult task being that you're not the manager. Managers are the ones who need to develop the ideas, however, there's no reason why you can't approach your manager with your ideas. Ideas which have worked for me, in the past, are 'brain storming sessions' (these work great) and daily or weekly meetings. Once you get your manager to develop practices that promote 'team work' and communication, then the work environment will improve. Brain storming is also a great way to find out how others feel and what it will take to motivate them.