Whatever your business, it’s essential for staff to bond in order to bring out the very best in their work. As business writer Patrick Lencioni puts it, “Teamwork begins by building trust. And the only way to do that is to overcome our need for invulnerabilitiy.”

Studies have shown that workplaces that encourage collaboration are five times more likely to be high performing. Providing employees with the opportunity and facility to work together to achieve shared goals is a strategic matter. Expecting high quality work based simply on company values isn’t always a sustainable way to produce results, but integrating behaviours into the very team you work alongside can be effective.

You’ll likely have your own memories of collaboration and teamwork in your personal career. That sense not only of comradery with your colleagues, but an affinity with the very company or organisation itself. Take a moment to recall a few of those instances. The projects that spanned departments, the comments that encouraged the diversity of skill. For those of us privileged enough to have experienced teamwork in the workplace we will often be able to pinpoint our key moments of collaboration.

For those starting out in their chosen career, or simply looking to increase their experience in a particular skill within their field, it’s essential that they’re given the opportunity to experience real world collaboration in progress. Whilst many skills can be taught, teamwork is a skill that must include direct involvement. Whether upskilling an existing team, or finding the right candidate to join a team, it’s paramount that each team member feels valued.

A workforce that is familiar with a concept and is repeatedly encouraged to pursue that concept can cause entire shifts in workplace culture. How will you encourage your team to grow, adapt and work well together this year?