"Win at Work"

Weekly Newsletter by Yasar Ahmad

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Ever been on a team full of drama; constant miscommunication, clashing egos, everyone out for themselves? The dynamics of your team can make or break your work experience! This week, I share 5 ways you can improve your team dynamics!

But before we dive into this weeks topic, I have something for you:

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Week 28 - Team Dynamics - Work Better Together

The problem: When team chemistry is bad, work feels like walking on eggshells. Lack of trust, poor communication, clashing egos or workstyles – all of it drags down performance (and morale). Maybe people hoard information or throw others under the bus. Maybe meetings turn into blame games. In a dysfunctional team, even simple tasks become battles. Gallup survey data shows that highly engaged teams – where members trust and support each other – are about 20% more productive than struggling ones. That means teams with poor dynamics are leaving a lot on the table. Bottom line: if your team isn’t truly together, everyone loses.

We all bring different personalities and strengths to the table, which is good. Diverse skills make a stronger team. But without respect and understanding, those differences turn into friction. Ever notice how one toxic attitude can poison the whole group? On the flip side, one united, high-trust team can outperform a group of all-stars who don’t gel. Google’s famous “Project Aristotle” study found that the number one factor in high-performing teams was psychological safety; meaning everyone feels safe to speak up or even fail without fear of blame. In friendly teams, people share ideas, admit mistakes, and collaborate. In hostile teams, they shut down.

Solution: Whatever your role, you can help create a healthier team dynamic. It comes down to trust, communication, and respect. Some tips to level up your team play:

Communicate openly and often: Don’t make teammates guess what you need or what you’re doing. Share updates, ask questions, and clarify expectations. If something’s off, discuss it directly (one-on-one, not via group blame). Transparency kills gossip and confusion.
Assume positive intent: Start with the belief that your colleagues mean well (unless proven otherwise). Miscommunications happen – before you get angry, ask for clarification. Giving the benefit of the doubt prevents small misunderstandings from exploding.
Respect different workstyles: Maybe you’re the fast-deciding, outspoken type and a teammate is more cautious or quiet. Value those differences. The quiet planner might catch details you miss; you might help them move forward. Instead of viewing differences as annoying, see them as complementary.
Be reliable and accountable: Trust is built (or broken) by actions. Do what you say you’ll do. Meet your deadlines. If you drop the ball, own it and fix it. When everyone on the team trusts each other to deliver, stress goes down and support goes up.
Celebrate and support each other: Give credit where it’s due. Highlight your teammate’s good work to your boss. Share successes as team wins (“we hit our target” not “I hit my target”). And when someone struggles, offer help rather than judgment. Fostering a we’ve-got-your-back culture makes the whole group stronger.

For example, if your project team is feeling divided – say two departments aren’t cooperating – try bridging the gap. Organize a quick huddle to align on the common goal and let each person voice concerns. Sometimes just getting people talking openly dissolves tension. You might also introduce a team norm like “no interrupting in meetings” to ensure everyone feels heard. Small changes in behavior can greatly improve trust over time.

“Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.”

Henry Ford

Great teams don’t happen by luck - they’re built through everyday actions. Be the colleague who listens, who shares credit, who lifts others up. When you invest in positive team dynamics, work becomes more enjoyable and more effective.

Remember, you’re all on the same side. Help create the kind of team you’ve always wanted to be part of. Together, you can win at work in ways no individual ever could.

Thanks

Yasar