Teamwork
"I am a helpful and contributing group and team member, and feel responsible for helping the team reach its goals."
Become Aware Of Your Strength
What is Teamwork?
Teamwork means that in team situations you are committed to contributing to the team’s success. The team could be a work group or a sports team, but it could also refer to your family, marriage, or even a group of friends working on a project together. Teamwork extends to being a good citizen of your community or country, and more broadly to a sense of social responsibility for particular groups of people or even all of humanity. In other words, the person high in teamwork applies a certain way of acting in whatever context they consider themselves committed to the good of the group as a whole. Most commonly, however, this strength refers to your being a dedicated, reliable, and contributing member to your small group or team. Teamwork is closely related to 3 other concepts:
Citizenship: responsibility toward one's community
Loyalty: unwavering trust for a group
Patriotism: loyalty toward one's homeland/nation without hostility toward other nations
Teamwork is a strength within the virtue category of justice, one of six virtues that subcategorize the 24 strengths. Justice describes strengths that help you connect in community or group-based situations. The other strengths in Justice are fairness, leadership, and teamwork.
Explore and Apply Your Strength
Where does teamwork appear in your character strengths profile?
Research findings indicate that those high in teamwork elicit and experience a higher level of social trust and have a more positive view of others. Learn how to activate this strength and all of your other strengths with your personalized Total 24 Report.
- Frequently Asked Questions About Teamwork
- How can I improve my teamwork skills in the workplace?
To improve your teamwork, focus on building communication, emotional intelligence, and a cooperative approach. Develop your ability to listen actively, share ideas clearly, and support your teammates. A good team thrives in an environment where respect, mutual support, and effective collaboration are present.
- What are the essential characteristics of effective teamwork?
Effective teamwork includes several essential characteristics such as trust, clear roles, open communication, mutual respect, and shared goals. High-functioning teams often encourage participation, welcome different personality types, and focus on achieving strong outcomes together.
- How does teamwork relate to different personality types and traits?
Understanding personality traits like agreeableness and empathy helps you navigate how personality types affect team collaboration. Some people may prefer leading, while others excel at support tasks. Recognizing these differences can help you build a great team where everyone plays a valuable role. Reviewing a personality report can offer insights into how you naturally function within teams.
- Why is teamwork important in business and management?
In business and management, effective teamwork drives productivity, innovation, and successful decisions. When employees function as part of a strong team, it boosts morale, enhances development, and leads to better results.
- How does teamwork impact relationships and colleagues?
Practicing strong teamwork improves relationships with colleagues by fostering trust, empathy, and shared values. A collaborative approach helps manage emotions, align ideas, and support each other's growth, creating a great workplace culture.
- How do I know what role I play in a team?
To identify your ideal role, reflect on your character, strengths, and how you naturally contribute to a team. Whether you're a strategist, motivator, or organizer, knowing your unique qualities can help you find your place in a good team and leverage your 24 character strengths more effectively. A VIA character strengths report can help you better understand your signature strengths and how they show up in team settings.
- How can leaders encourage better teamwork?
Leaders can encourage team collaboration by promoting psychological safety, setting clear expectations, and recognizing the value of each team member. A strong leader understands the need to adapt to different personality traits while modeling trust and shared responsibility.
- Is teamwork tied to any specific strengths or character traits?
Yes—teamwork is one of the 24 character strengths associated with the virtue of justice. It is often linked to qualities like loyalty, fairness, and hope. This strength supports the success of teams in any workplace or social setting, especially when combined with other group-oriented traits.
- How does teamwork contribute to positive outcomes and effective team dynamics?
When practiced well, teamwork enhances collaboration, distributes tasks efficiently, and fosters a strong sense of shared purpose. The results include better productivity, innovation, and more satisfying experiences for all teammates involved in a project.