Teamwork between colleagues is essential. In a typical workplace, however, employees will often have no more in common than their occupation, and may have trouble finding common ground. So how can you, their employer, work to bring them together as a team? 

1. Build Relationships
Work to build relationships not only between yourself and your employees, but also amongst employees. Strong relationships will provide trust, an important foundation for any team. 

2. Set Goals
Give your employees goals to work toward as a group. Shared goals will encourage a team mentality, and require teamwork to achieve. The goals should be clear and measurable to avoid disagreements and in-fighting. 

3. Delegate
Empower your employees by delegating. With real responsibilities, employees will have more reason to cooperate with others to achieve their tasks.

4. Encourage Participation 
Your employees need to be motivated to fully participate as part of the team. Remind them that everybody is a part of the team, and that a success for an individual is a success for everybody. 

5. Rewards
Choose something your employees can enjoy as a group and announce it as a reward for good performance. This will build team spirit and renew enthusiasm, providing motivation for the group to work together. Social rewards such as lunches or outings are also their own tools, adding the extra benefit of relationship building. 

6. Regular Meetings  
A team that doesn’t communicate has little chance of functioning well. Organise regular meetings for employees to receive guidance, discuss goals, and formulate plans. 

7. Be a Team Player
It’s not enough to simply ask your employees to work as a team. You have to lead by example. Cooperate with your employees and work with them to achieve goals. It’s much easier to motivate people to do something once you’ve shown you’re willing to do it yourself.

As an employer, team-building is an invaluable skill to have at your disposal. Develop it, and you will be rewarded with the increased efficiency and productivity of a group of individuals turned into a hardworking, dynamic team.