HOW TEAM WORK WORKS?
Teamwork represents a successful outcome of a
combined/collaborative efforts.
This seems to be a new concept, in projects management. Because, simply some
people have formulated such the sentence and published it. But it is a long-lasting
practice in Rwanda, and abroad, which is acceptable and supported by traditions.
In Rwandan oral traditions, there is a proverb/ saying, “ Ntawigira”; nta mugabo
umwe, …, meaning no single person is sufficient on his/her own. We all need others
in some circumstances to make a meaningful change in the world or to be relevant.
In French they say, “Union Fait la force”, which means union or togetherness is a
source of strength or big achievements.
We all need to unite create a bright future, better world, a meaningful change in
the country, on the continent and in the world.
Practice sample:
• to carry a six meters wood, I need either someone else to hold one end or a machine
made by others to make it possible.; see picture below:
6 mtrs
• to Rule and develop a country/ continent/ world, developments agents are required to
support the leadership/ high authorities.
Leadershi
p
Change
agents
comunity
based Copeerativ
orgenisati e citizens
on
Teamwork benefits:
1. Solid communication: while working as a team, people look at the end results
as a success of the whole group/team. Thus, the communication is taken as
a vital tool helps crossing barriers in between and arrive at the end results.
2. Improve brain storming: While working as a team, people discuss all steps
and processes of the work;
3. Encourage common objective- orientation or goal: People look at the end
results and requiring everyone’s involvement to attain common objective
4. Increase problem solving skills: when people have one focus, objective or
goal, everyone is encouraged to share ideas, advices and hence each one
problem solving skills increase;
5. Building trust: each member increases his/her sense of belonging. And trust
among the team members increases;
6. Improves organization culture: the team members feel empowered and
understood by hierarchy;
7. Increase efficiency: working as a team help members to use all available
resources on time to fill all existing gaps, for a timely completion of tasks;
8. Develop employees’ sense of responsibility: When people work as a team,
they increase their sense or responsibility. Each team member, works until
the results is arrived at. Noone looks at a single piece, but the whole task
completion. Each one engage himself/herself and use possible efforts, time
and means to complete the work;
9. Teamwork is source of motivation: when success is achieved, every one
celebrates it.
The achievement becomes a result of every team member’s effort which
brings satisfaction to all members;
[Link] work develops the performance level of all team members. As people
work together, each learn easily from others through experience sharing and
demonstration/observation. Hence, learning by doing helps people to
increase skills quickly.
How can it be set in a work place?
• Role and responsibilities of each one must be clear;
• Build results-oriented expectation among coworkers;
• Set standards, aiming at high performance;
• Set a recreation time/ reflection;
• Align employees’ efforts with expected results;
• Create a work environment of trust and openness;
• Promote continuous improvement, evaluation, learning and realignment;
Teamwork Is a crucial tool of management to enhance productivity at work place,
develop trust and use efficiently available human resources. It has multiple benefits
and outlined above and can bring about too many others (the list is not exhaustive).
Let’s People enjoy working together for creativity, problem solving skills, clear and
effective communication and high results achievement.
By Claudine Mugabekazi, [Link]. 2026