How to Work Better With a Team
Working with a team isn’t always easy. You’ve got different personalities, work styles, and opinions all trying to come together to get things done.
But when team collaboration works well, projects get finished faster, ideas get better, and everyone actually enjoys coming to work.
At apexglobalcareer.com, we’ve seen firsthand how the right approach to teamwork can transform not just projects, but entire careers.
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What Does “Working Better With a Team” Really Mean?
Working better with a team means more than just showing up to meetings and doing your assigned tasks. It’s about:
- Actually listening when others speak
- Sharing your ideas without fear
- Helping teammates when they’re stuck
- Communicating clearly and honestly
- Respecting different viewpoints
Teamwork is everyone doing their own job, but working better with a team is everyone helping each other succeed at those jobs.
Why Does Good Teamwork Matter So Much?
You might be thinking, “Can’t I just do my work and go home?” Well, yes and no. Here’s why investing energy into better team collaboration is worth it:
- You’ll solve problems faster.
When you’re stuck, a teammate might see the solution you’re missing.
Two are better than one.
- Your stress goes down.
When you trust your team and they trust you, work feels less like a burden you’re carrying alone.
- You learn new skills.
Every person on your team knows something you don’t.
Good collaboration means you’re constantly picking up new knowledge.
- Your career grows.
Managers notice people who work well with others. Team players get promoted.
- Work becomes more enjoyable.
Let’s be honest, spending 40+ hours a week with people you can’t stand or can’t communicate with is miserable.
Good teamwork makes work actually pleasant.
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Six Simple Ways to Improve How You Work With Your Team
Now let’s get into the practical stuff. These aren’t complex theories, they’re simple actions you can start using tomorrow.
1. Communicate Clearly and Listen Actively
Nothing kills teamwork faster than confusion or feeling unheard. Clear communication is a two-way street.
When you’re working on something, let your team know. If you’ve finished a task, update everyone. If you’re stuck, say so.
You don’t need to write a novel every time, a quick message like “Hey, I finished the research section and saved it in the shared folder” is perfect.
But here’s the other half: actually listen when others speak. We’ve all been in meetings where someone is clearly just waiting for their turn to talk instead of listening. Don’t be that person. Focus on understanding their point instead of preparing your response. Ask clarifying questions. Repeat back what you heard to make sure you got it right.
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2. Share Knowledge and Give Credit Freely
If you know how to do something that could help a teammate, teach them. If you learned something useful at a training session, share it with the group. If you made a mistake and learned from it, tell others so they don’t make the same one.
Some people hoard knowledge because they think it makes them valuable.
The opposite is true. People who share what they know become the go-to person everyone wants to work with.
And when someone helps you or has a great idea, acknowledge it. If a teammate went above and beyond, tell your manager. Taking credit for other people’s work destroys trust faster than almost anything else. Sharing credit builds it.
3. Be Reliable and Respect Everyone’s Time
Do what you say you’re going to do, when you say you’re going to do it. Show up to meetings on time. Meet your deadlines. Respond to important messages within a reasonable timeframe.
If something changes and you can’t meet a commitment, communicate that immediately and work out a solution. Don’t wait until the last minute to tell people you’re behind.
Time is the one resource nobody can get back. When you respect your teammates’ time, you’re showing them respect period. Reliability builds trust, and trust is the foundation of every good team. Be the person your teammates can count on.
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4. Offer Help and Stay Solution-Focused
If you’ve finished your tasks and notice a teammate struggling, offer to help. You don’t need to take over their work, but even saying “I’ve got some free time this afternoon if you need an extra pair of hands” can make a huge difference.
When challenges come up, focus on solutions instead of complaints. Instead of “This project is impossible,” try “This project is challenging, but let’s figure out how to tackle it.”
Your attitude influences the whole team’s energy.
What goes around comes around. When you help others, they’ll help you when you need it.
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5. Handle Disagreements Like an Adult
Disagreements will happen. That’s normal and actually healthy. What matters is how you handle them.
Don’t gossip behind people’s backs. Don’t send passive-aggressive emails. Instead, talk directly to the person you’re having an issue with.
Use “I” statements like “I felt frustrated when…” instead of “You always…” Focus on the issue, not the person.
If you can’t resolve it between yourselves, bring in a manager or mediator. But always try to work it out person-to-person first. Addressing conflict directly and respectfully shows maturity and keeps small issues from becoming big problems.
6. Include Everyone and Value Different Perspectives
Make sure everyone on your team feels heard and valued. If you’re naturally talkative, make a conscious effort to pause and ask quieter teammates what they think. If you’re naturally quiet, challenge yourself to speak up at least once in every meeting. Your perspective matters, even if you don’t think it does.
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Different people bring different strengths, experiences, and viewpoints to the table.
The best solutions often come from unexpected places.
Sometimes the quietest person in the room has the idea that solves everything, but only if you create space for them to share it.
At apexglobalcareer.com, we help professionals find workplaces that value diverse perspectives and collaborative environments where everyone can thrive.
Conclusion
Working better with a team doesn’t require a complete personality makeover or years of training.
It starts with small, intentional actions like communicating clearly, helping others, being reliable, handling conflict maturely, and making sure everyone feels included.
These six strategies might seem simple, but they’re powerful. When you consistently apply them, you’ll notice your projects go smoother, your work relationships improve, and your career opportunities expand.
Start with one or two of these strategies this week. Practice them until they become habits. Before you know it, you’ll be the teammate everyone wants to work with and that’s a reputation worth building.