Andrew Carnegie could not have put it better when he said, “Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.” You have probably heard how important it is to be a team player since you were first able to talk, but did you know that it is probably one of the best life lessons that you could have possibly learned? In order to achieve something so much bigger than yourself, you have to look past yourself and your own personal wants and desires. The good of the team as a whole has to be the top priority of everyone involved.

There are three tools that are key to having and maintaining excellent teamwork: communication, setting expectations and achievable goals, and always maintaining respect for those on your team.

Communication in a company is vital. You have to be able to communicate with your team members. Everyone needs to be open to different opinions and points of view so that the best possible decision can be made.

Setting clear expectations and attainable goals is necessary so that everyone on a team knows what they are working towards so that they can be united in their decisions.

Like Aretha Franklin preached – R-E-S-P-E-C-T. In order to work with other people in any setting, there needs to be an understanding of respect between everyone involved. Team members need to feel that their opinions matter and are valued. When individuals feel respected for their opinions and ideas, and are able to openly discuss and communicate them to other people, a common goal can always be reached.

Source: http://humanresources.about.com/od/teambuilding/f/team_work.htm#sthash.f4HFBUSR.dpuf

The Culture Counts blog is a discussion of law firm culture and legal innovation, including topics such as effective leadership, employee engagement, workplace culture, ideal work environment, company core values, and workplace productivity.  

Sign up for and explore our content and thought leadership here.

About the Firm:

Klemchuk LLP is a litigation, intellectual property, transactional, and international business law firm dedicated to protecting innovation. The firm provides tailored legal solutions to industries including software, technology, retail, real estate, consumer goods, ecommerce, telecommunications, restaurant, energy, media, and professional services. The firm focuses on serving mid-market companies seeking long-term, value-added relationships with a law firm. Learn more about experiencing law practiced differently and our local counsel practice.

The firm publishes Intellectual Property Trends (latest developments in IP law), Conversations with Innovators (interviews with thought leaders), Leaders in Law (insights from law leaders), Culture Counts (thoughts on law firm culture and business), and Legal Insights (in-depth analysis of IP, litigation, and transactional law).