Breaking Down Barriers – Building an Effective Team Culture
By Allyson Wynne, Citibank – The Student Loan Corporation

Most Financial Aid offices require teamwork to get the work done. If you compare your job description to what you actually do, you’ll discover that much of your work also requires the support of other team members.

Teamwork is creating a culture in which collaboration is valued. To create a workplace culture that is rooted in teamwork, the following characteristics of well-functioning teams are critical:

Recognize and respect differences in others: If every member of the team were the same and had the same opinions, it wouldn’t be a very productive team – and it would make for a pretty boring team, at best! Though we may get frustrated with different members of our team at different times (which is all part of human nature), it is the diversity of the team that will move you from good to great!

Value the ideas and contributions of others: Nothing is more important in a teamwork environment than to show you care and value your teammates by listening to what they have to say. There may be valuable information to be gained by simply listening to another’s perspective. In teamwork, it is important to have open ears and an open mind.

Ask questions and get clarification: Because we all come from differing perspectives, it can be challenging at times to see things from the “same side of the coin”. Ask questions to gain clarification on issues. Often times what the speaker intended for you to hear may not be what was actually heard.

Have fun and care about the team and the outcomes: Teamwork can be fun and engaging if you choose to see it that way. Take pride in your team and the outcomes that you produce. Set aside time at the beginning of team meetings to do conduct an engaging icebreaker with the group. These activities encourage participants to laugh together and get to know each other—a small investment with large benefits in terms of building team morale.

In addition to the above characteristics, keep in mind the following components of a team:

Purpose: Members proudly share a sense of why the team exists and are invested in accomplishing its mission and goals.

Priorities: Members know what needs to be done next, by whom, and by when to achieve team goals.

Roles: Members know their roles in getting tasks done and when to allow a more skillful member to do a certain task.

Decisions: Authority and decision-making lines are clearly understood.

Conflict: Conflict is dealt with openly and is considered important to decision-making and personal growth.

Personal traits: Members feel their unique personalities are appreciated and well-utilized.

Norms: Group norms for working together are set and seen as standards for every one in the groups.

Success: Members know clearly when the team has met with success and share in this equally and proudly.

Training: Opportunities for feedback and updating skills are provided and taken advantage of by team members.

Make it a priority to focus on the characteristics and components of well-functioning teams listed above and you will be well on your way to creating a teamwork culture—a culture that enables individuals to contribute more than they ever thought possible, together.

Allyson Wynne is a Professional Development Manager with Citibank – The Student Loan Corporation. She regularly presents seminars for financial aid office personnel.