What is the importance of chemistry among people in the workplace? Team chemistry is one of the most complicated keys to the success of organizations. Effective teams are more than just a collection of talented members. To be effective, a team has to be able to combine the efforts and abilities of members in the right way. I wouldn’t be that bold with your statement. Its too concrete. I would leave it at, “Team chemistry is just as important to building a successful office as hiring talented individuals.”
Everyone knows the importance of having a job that you enjoy, but even your dream job can turn into a nightmare if you aren’t surrounded by the right people. This is why managers need to focus on team chemistry to create a work environment where their employees grow together as both coworkers and have a professional level of friendship so they look forward to each day rather than dreading getting out of bed. Feeling like you work with friends makes going to work every day much easier. Chemistry makes workplace teams more effective. The benefits of having good chemistry at the workplace include increased productivity and satisfaction in work teams. Chemistry maximizes team efforts –regardless of the apparent differences in skills, educational background, and personalities. Chemistry is a vital part of any relationship, and can revolutionize a workplace.
Do you know that one of the biggest problems in the office can be office drama? There is far less drama when you like who you are working with and view them as not just coworkers, but as friends. When you work with coworkers you like, you tend to want to work harder for them. You don’t want to let someone down that you respect and have any level of friendship with. When coworkers don’t respect and appreciate each other, they may avoid communication with each other, which means their work can suffer and that isn’t good for the business as a whole.
It’s just like dating the “perfect person”. Have you ever dated someone, who by definition should have been “perfect” for you but something always felt like it was missing? Other times, you instantly have a connection– almost as if you’ve known the person your entire life with people who are your complete opposite. If you were to describe that relationship, words like understanding, bond, and compatibility might come to mind. Your brain actually releases a chemical, dopamine, that reinforces those feelings and help to cement the relationship. This sense of familiarity and connection that took place in that relationship was experienced again in your friendships, and perhaps on athletic or workplace teams. The best term to describe this unexplainable bond between people is chemistry.
According to Webster’s Dictionary, chemistry is an interaction between people working together; specifically: such interaction when harmonious or effective. The key words that accurately describe chemistry are “attraction” and “effective.” This special ingredient makes up a perfect and important component in the workplace. Without this harmonious or effective connection, it may be hard to produce meaningful and unbelievably good work.
Good chemistry isn’t necessary in the workplace until your competition has it and you don’t. As Babe Ruth reportedly once said, “You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don’t play together, the club won’t be worth a dime.” Without good team chemistry, talented teams can find it tough to function well. With team chemistry, employers can focus on getting the most out of their team’s talent.
When chemistry is not present, it can be difficult to develop an effective “talent attraction” or relationship with someone, especially a job candidate. During an interview, a candidate may have all the qualifications needed for an open position, but very little chemistry with the interviewer or the organization. Employers may be a little reluctant to hire candidates who do not bring that “special spark” to the interview process. Or, when chemistry is lacking, candidates might simply might be forgotten during the process. On the other hand, candidates with “the spark” are more likely to be remembered (and hired!) when narrowing down the talent pool.
Management expert Ken Blanchard suggests that teams fail roughly 60 percent of the time. While the reasons for team failure vary — such as lack of planning, focus, or resources — it’s rarely due to lack of talent. However, an effective team needs more than just a group of talented people. True team effectiveness requires team members to work well together regardless of their abilities. Here are five reasons why team chemistry is more important than talent alone.
TEAM CHEMISTRY = COOPERATION No matter how talented people are, if they don’t work well together, they won’t accomplish much. Exceptional talent can carry a big ego. Sometimes sacrificing the talent can help you avoid power struggles and team fragmentation. On the other hand, when there is team chemistry, team members enjoy working together. Cooperation can lead to higher efficiency, faster results, and better outcomes.
TEAM CHEMISTRY = PRODUCTIVITY Experts suggest that teams with good chemistry are more productive because they understand what each member brings to the team and work to maximize strengths and minimize weaknesses of the other team members. Additionally, they manage their time better. Without team chemistry, members can end up arguing over project details rather than working to find solutions.
TEAM CHEMISTRY = GOOD ATTENDANCE In addition to physical ailments or family needs, some of the top reasons for absenteeism in the workplace include harassment, disengagement, stress, and low morale. Build a team with great chemistry and you reduce interpersonal conflicts. This, in turn, can reduce absenteeism and turnover.
TEAM CHEMISTRY = LOYALTY According to 2017 statistics from Gallup, over two-thirds of the American workforce is disengaged from their job (51% not engaged, 16% actively disengaged). This means that 67 percent of employees feel apathetic about their work. Since enthusiastic employees tend to be loyal employees, it’s important to engage team members. Engagement comes from having a great team environment.
TEAM CHEMISTRY = SUCCESS Experts suggest that talent will only get a team so far. This is because team members who aren’t on the same page as the rest of the team or only focus on their own success can cause internal conflict. However, when there is team chemistry, individuals work together to advance the team’s goals leading to a higher chance of team success.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
HEAR MORE FROM MICHELLE IN Women in Supply Chain™ PART 18 HERE
Michelle DeVevo is Vice President of Talent Acquisition for one of the most successful third-party logistics providers, SunkteckttsNYC, with offices located in Acton, MA, Jacksonville, FL and New Jersey.A triple threat, Michelle DeVevo knows recruitment, culture and employer branding. With over 20 years of experience in recruiting, Michelle has honed her communication skills to be the sought-after voice between her employer and candidates. Her transparent and engaging style makes her a leading recruiter for third-party logistics firms when it comes to growing their business and keeping the employees engaged.Since entering into the Supply Chain industry in 2014, Michelle has brought various awards to the companies she was working for, such as, Best Place to Work in Northeast Florida (2015), 101 Best & Brightest Places to Work for in Boston (2-time winner 2016 & 2018), Best & Brightest Places to Work for in the Nation (two-time winner) (2016 & 2019). In addition to these numerous awards, she has also been publicized the Jacksonville Business Journal, served as speaker for Career Source, and has spoken at numerous universities.
Michelle prides herself in “helping companies improve their hiring, culture and onboarding process by producing high-quality candidates, that meets their objectives.” She specializes in developing digital strategies and implementing initiatives that combine company/candidate needs with business objectives. Her passion is impacting companies and employees, while delivering measurable business goals. Hailing from Jacksonville, Florida she was “courted” to Boston, MA in 2016 and bring her Jacksonville sunshine to her employer here in the Northeast.
