Team work as a theme is regarded to be a vital driver of creating synergy organisations wide.
At an outward sphere, collegiality and team work appears to exemplify synonym, yet both are non-identical in nature and different from each other. The two words are not seemingly alike; they are patently different.
Interconnected or Interlinked ? Yes – to a large degree where former plays an integral part to stimulate later.
Collegiality is sharing of harmonious, mutual and respectful companionship between colleagues and team work occurs as a by-product of this symbiotic association.
Well-respected and esteemed leaders have advised collegiality to be a litmus test for team work.
The signature trademark of collegiality is nothing but respectful behavior and attitude towards each other in a work setup.
While many understand and spare no effort to adapt to its enablers, it is equally albeit more important to understand ‘the detriment’ in order to safeguard the team spirit and avoid conflict.
Gossip – Setting the Breeding ground for toxic work environment
The key detriment that contributes to a toxic work environment is talking negative about others- Multiple studies over and over conclude. Similar one also reveal engagement in gossips, imagined scenarios and make-believe situations build up for a substantial percentage (As per HBR Study) of workplace conversations.
Few identified reasons for indulgence in gossip and insinuations are an attempt in bonding, purposely pulling someone down, cowardice, bullying and poor coping mechanism.
“Unconstrained conversations for a section of people could be outright degrading or demeaning to some”
In the process to build and develop sound culture, such practices speak volumes about quality of people and innate value system one brings to the table.
Thoughts of a Renaissance man and a hallmark culture builder
In the words of a seasoned corporate HR professional and an Avant-Garde “What flabbergast me is the engagement level and spend of one’s time and energy in negative talks about others which is remotely not connected to them, is affecting or creating any impact on them. It is so destructive, and it is so socially accepted. It is a put-off more than any negative human behavior”.
Problem with an issue asks for solution, not slander. Hence leaning on any workstation expecting to get some gossip fodder is an utter time-waste.
Discouraging Cookie- Cutter Approach
Not overlooking the fact, people are individuals before any assumed title. They carry varying outlook, mental syntheses, evolution stage in life and differing views that is built over a time through their experiences and exposure.
Fostering individuality and healthy expression of the same should not be perceived as an outlier. Individuality is an essential attribute and not exerting any pressure on people to be a cookie- cutter is the real deed.
According to one research published in an issue of “Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes,” firms that promote an individualistic outlook in a group setting are better at generating innovative and creative ideas and sound ways of execution.
In Summary
Building collegiality to promote team work essentially boils down to major components of:
- Avoiding trap of “Gossip Feeders”
- Comprehending the Individual strength.
- Discouraging cookie-cutter approach.