The Importance of Team Building

It’s not every day that two teams join forces with the same goal, but that’s something our team in Laurel, Maryland, successfully navigated when our IT and engineering teams were given the opportunity to work together. How do you encourage two teams with diverse backgrounds to meld as one and collaborate?

We talked to our two Managing Directors in our Laurel office, Mike Majoros and Kernan Kelly, to find out how team building helped them grow their business and land the title of Modis Branch of the Year.

Why Is team building important?

Abraham Lincoln said it best: “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” Unity is essential in achieving goals and encouraging mutual success among colleagues. “Having the team aligned towards not just the end result but the process is imperative in reaching what you set out to accomplish,” said Kernan Kelly.

“The way a team works together determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual contributors in the world, but if they don’t work together, the branch will never reach its fullest potential,” Mike Majoros reiterated.

So where do you start? Mike suggests activities outside of the office. “They create a better understanding of each other’s strengths, weaknesses and interests, which ultimately improves the collaboration and teamwork with work related projects,” he said. If budget or timing prevents you from an outing, opportunities inside the office can also be beneficial. Theme days at the office or holiday themed potlucks are a great place to begin!

The role of leadership.

The tone of collaboration typically trickles down from what’s presented by senior leadership. In Kernan and Mike’s case, this was no exception. According to Kernan, “leading from the front requires showing your team what it takes to be successful and not just telling them what’s needed to be successful.”

They immediately began working together by conducting combined weekly meetings, office outings and trainings. It’s this culture of inclusion and accountability through constant communication that has lead to a trust throughout the team, resulting in better quality and service for clients.

The benefits of a bonded team.

When they saw their teams sharing ideas and celebrating each other’s success, Kernan and Mike knew the team had bonded. When they had one of the first “shared” deals across all of Modis, the entire organization knew it, too.

“The biggest benefit of having a well-connected team is creating a culture where success is expected and where the environment is conducive to everyone wanting to put in the extra effort that is needed to reach both there and the team’s goals,” said Kernan.