Ways To Foster Team Alignment and Camaraderie

Whether managing a team or running a cross-functional project, you’ve probably encountered issues around aligning priorities and fostering camaraderie.

A way to circumvent these inherent challenges includes establishing a shared purpose where people feel a part of something greater and can work towards a collective goal. Seeking buy-in upfront will ensure people remain focused and deliver on their commitments.

Furthermore, offering ways for your team to interact socially during meetings can reinforce engagement and retention. For example, asking people to share a little about themselves and their perspective on the topics being discussed can cultivate a sense of belonging, where they can authentically show up and don’t need to “cover up.”

Team struggles often stem from opposing wants, needs, values, and preferences.  

Most successful teams are founded on mutual respect, understanding, and acceptance, where all members are comfortable and confident in their abilities and can easily contribute. 

According to Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation™(FIRO®) theory, everyone plays different roles in relationships depending on their requirements in comparison to the group’s desires. Inviting people to communicate more often and showcase their talents improves team dynamics, where individuals can unlock their potential and support one another better. 

Recognizing that everyone has their own go-to approach means you may need to adapt your style to ensure your message resonates and is perceived as intended. As Writer Luigina Sgarro highlighted, “There is no communication that is so simple that it cannot be misunderstood.” 

Strengthen rapport through learning experiences.   

Trust is developed by honoring what matters most in relationships with consistent actions over time. Respecting people’s boundaries and need for self-care demonstrates self-awareness and emotional intelligence and can enhance dialogue and meaningful connection.

Concentrating too much on differences makes it easy to forget what you have in common with another human being, like the desire to be seen, heard, and appreciated. Creating opportunities for colleagues to talk openly and learn about each other can positively impact interpersonal dynamics.

Depending on your goals, hosting a customized virtual or in-person workshop can help you work toward a collective purpose, like increasing transparency and collaboration. Additionally, experimenting with various techniques to improve prioritization, make effective decisions, and manage stress together can promote cohesion and minimize fear of change and uncertainty. 

Here are some of my favorite assessments to foster team alignment and camaraderie:

• The Enneagram. The Enneagram assessment helps you gain insight into your core motivations, “why you do what you do,” your behaviors (how you think, act, and feel), and your instinctual patterns (survival strategies). This knowledge will assist you in gauging how best to adapt and respond to others, i.e., key messages, tone, and speed, while asserting what’s essential to you. Additionally, you’ll learn your type’s typical inclination to protect against conflict, obstacles, and disappointment.
• The Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation (FIRO®) Assessment. William Schutz, Ph.D., developed the FIRO® instrument on the theory that we each have distinctive interpersonal needs that strongly motivate us beyond our survival needs. This assessment highlights how your expressed and wanted needs influence your communication style and behaviors. Learning how to express your wants and needs and hearing what your colleagues value will reduce the likelihood of sending mixed messages.  
• Myers-Briggs® Type Indicator (MBTI®). The MBTI® was developed by Katherine Briggs and Isabel Myers, based on Carl Jung’s theory of psychological type. Jung believed that our preferences are innate and shaped by environmental influences. The benefits of knowing your MBTI® include articulating your preferences, as well as learning to discern others’ preferences. Knowing this information can help create a more inclusive environment and deepen connections. Additionally, tapping into your four mental functions—Sensing, Intuition, Thinking, and Feeling—can enhance your problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Sparketype®. Created by Jonathan Fields, the Sparketype® assists in discovering the work that energizes you while identifying the activities that deplete your energy. When you enter a work collaboration—by choice or not—you can’t assume that your values, beliefs, wants, and needs are the same as someone else’s. The benefits of knowing yours and your teammates’ types will empower everyone to lean into each other’s gifts and agree on common values where everyone feels at ease and comfortable doing their best work.

Cultivating positive collaborations includes displaying appreciation and recognizing others for their contributions. Hosting workshops highlighting key milestone achievements provides you the venue to discuss what’s working well and what may need to be modified as you move forward.  

Activate your best with those around you.

Self-leadership is about getting to know yourself better and applying that knowledge to connect with others. As a lifelong student, certified professional coach, and consultant, activating the best in others through self-leadership, interpersonal relations, and team dynamics are passions of mine. My approach is personalized and customized, tapping into various assessments, disciplines, modalities, and techniques. Also, check out my “Micro & Mini Service Offerings” and try one session to inspire you. Sign up solo or with another person or group to work on a specific exercise or activity and split the costs! Contact me to get started.

To gain additional insight on career topics, sign up for my monthly newsletter. For more articles like this, click here.