The ART of Teamwork
Fostering teamwork through different forms of art is fast catching on as a trend in India Inc.
Nelson Mandela explained Ubuntu, the African tradition of teamwork and collaboration, as follows:
A traveller through a country would stop at a village and he didn't have to ask for food or water. Once he stops, the people give him food, entertain him. That is one aspect of Ubuntu, but it will have various aspects. Ubuntu does not mean that people should not enrich themselves. The question therefore is: Are you going to do so in order to enable the community around you to be able to improve?
"Teamwork is the most fundamental element for productivity at work. Organisations must recognise the fact that achieving high performance has a direct co-relation with constructive and collaborative teamwork (for example, playing a Brazilian percussive instrument and creating batucada style samba beats, etc). Such exercises help improve communication amongst employees and build stronger ties," says Ashok Ramachandran, director HR, Vodafone India.
During tough phases of business and economy, organisations have to achieve steeper than usual mandates with lesser resources and finances. During these times, effective teamwork can place an organisation in a winning stead. Also, tough times require innovative approaches in terms of solving problems. Effective teamwork makes it conducive for employees to propose unconventional ways of working and these innovative approaches can translate to a winning edge for organisations in times when they are compressed by tough constraints.
Says Dilip Kumar Srivastava, corporate VP & global head – HR, HCL Technologies, "We have many types of councils across HCL including the Community Service Council, Wellness Council, Ambassador Council, Grey Cells Council, Sports Council and Talent Council. Of these, various forms of art and creativity are seen in abundance in the activities of the Talent Council. The council has formed four rock bands within the company; organised art exhibitions; released an audio CD created by musically gifted HCLites and more. The areas of focus for the Talent Council in the forthcoming year will include art and craft, dance, music, theatre, photography and entertainment."
Bringing together the knowledge, interests and experiences of employees is a great way to strengthen internal communication. Initiatives (read: art) to bring about effective teamwork are necessary at all times to ensure a smooth and happy work environment. Needless to say, such an environment is conducive to increased productivity.
- Sheetal Srivastava
