We have long experienced, and many books have been written about it, the advantages of teamwork. Without a doubt, teamwork is key to navigating the business environment in which we live.

We all know the richness that comes from the diversity of ideas, the contribution of different skills and experiences that, added behind a common goal, results in a superior outcome. However, it is interesting to think… When we refer to teamwork and its importance, which team are we thinking of?

Usually, when faced with this question, the answer is immediate: it’s the people we work with on a regular basis, referring to the people who make up our area. But what happens when our work unavoidably impacts or is impacted by the actions and decisions of people in other areas? Does collaborative work become blurred? Does teamwork cease to be important?

On numerous occasions, collaborative work ends up at the limits of our office, generating friction, misunderstandings and consequences that end up affecting the goa that unites us all: the sustainability of the business. Why is it so difficult for us to think about the need to work as a team when it involves other people who do not belong to my small circle? Why do we tend to take care of the silo?

What makes organizational goals perceived as competitive between teams?

Perhaps we need to redefine the concept of team player to focus on some of the most important skills to work with others: broaden the picture and keep the north clear, be willing to share my knowledge and learn, have the humbleness to understand that “I don’t know everything”. Creating a sense of belonging and shared goals is perhaps one of our greatest challenges, working in a team has no limits of space and time, it is about broadening our perspective.

What could you start doing differently today to break out of a silo culture and work collaboratively with other teams?