Teamwork skills are critical success factors in today’s collaborative culture. Nobody works in a bubble, and when you’re hiring for open roles, it is important to identify candidates who have the ability to contribute effectively to a team. These are the teamwork skills you should look for in every employee, whether they are working full time, part time, on-site or remotely.
Listening Skills
All too often, colleagues in group settings are simply waiting for their turn to speak rather than listening to what everyone else is saying. People with effective teamwork skills must have the ability to listen actively and listen carefully to the colleagues’ input and ideas.
The Ability to Give and Receive Feedback
Whether the input is positive or constructive criticism, people who contribute effectively to a team need to be able to give and receive feedback. Employees cannot grow and improve if they are unable or unwilling to speak openly about what’s working and what isn’t.
Delegation Skills
Usually, superiors delegate to subordinates, but effective teams can look at a project and delegate tasks based on each person’s skills. Strategic delegation ensures projects stay on track, tasks are completed more efficiently and the work is of the highest quality.
The Ability to Show Respect
Not everyone on a team has to like each other in order to get the job done. Legendary comedy duo Abbott and Costello did not get along with each other off stage. How did they make it work? Respect. Effective team members can set aside all personal feelings when its time get a job done.
A Willingness to Pitch In
One thing you will never hear when observing an effective team is, “That’s not my job.” Great team members pitch in and do the work, even if a task doesn’t fall under their job description. True contributors put their egos aside to ensure the group achieves its collective goals.
How to Uncover Teamwork Skills
It can be challenging to evaluate a candidate’s ability to work well as part of a team when interviews are typically one-on-one conversations. However, there are some questions that can help you identify candidates who have the skills to contribute effectively to a team:
- Describe a recent, successful project you were a part of. What was your contribution?
- Describe a failed project you worked on. What was your contribution?
- Tell me about a time when you worked on a team with people you didn’t particularly like. What was the outcome of the project?
- What do you do when you are on a team where one person isn’t pulling their weight?
Identifying strong team players is important, especially when managing teams where some employees work remotely. Employees need to be able to take control of projects and move them forward without micromanagement from above. However, identifying strong team players isn’t always easy. If you need to be confident your next candidate is an excellent team player, contact the expert ag recruiters at Morris Bixby today.