Working with others who see the goals and objectives differently than you can be stressful and anxiety producing. Toiling under such adversarial conditions is likely to develop an atmosphere of negativity that drive coworkers apart rather than pull them together.

The tenets of teamwork depicted below provide guidelines for building task-based relationships, so that when disagreements over the pursuit of goals and objectives arise the focus is on the task at hand and not on the individuals involved.

Collaborative Spirit –Believe more can be accomplished working together than alone.

Before you join forces with another person, you have to ask yourself the question: How do I benefit from this relationship? At first, there may appear to be very little good come from it other than getting help with the task. You may have to dig a little deeper before you discover that you really need what the other person brings to the relationship.

Something heartwarming and emotionally uplifting happens when two previous strangers complete a difficult assignment that neither could have accomplished without the other. A collaborative spirit emerges that was not there before. Your desire to continue the relationship increases and you both feel motivated to aim higher on the next project.

Common Purpose – Work on the same things at the same time for the same reasons.

Problem solving and decision-making are two distinctly different processes. Working on both simultaneously will create confusion and divert energy. Solving a problem calls for people who are skilled at recalling intricate details and remembering who said what to whom and when. It makes sense to begin the search for a solution by sharing the collective memories of what could have caused the deviation from expectations.

Making decisions is more about determining what needs to happen in the future. This calls for opportunity minded people who are good at forecasting and thinking ahead. In order to develop a common purpose from which to base the right decision, your teammates must first agree to refocus their attention on what lies ahead.

Mutual Respect – Accept and value what others bring to the relationship. 

What you both bring to the relationship are valid expectations of how the task should be accomplished. Valid expectations of others cannot be understood unless those people are also encouraged to communicate with each other without fear of being judged or criticized.

Everyone engaged in the task brings a unique perspective of how the work should be done. An exploration of expectations is an opportunity to clarify everyone’s position while gaining an understanding of what each person anticipates should happen when the actual work begins.

Productive Communication – Clarify the intentions and expectations of those involved.

Task-based relationships thrive on accurate information that produces satisfactory results, so it’s important that you say what you mean, mean what you say, and not make any commitments or promises you are unprepared or unwilling to keep.

It is critical to identify others who are trustworthy and communicate with them directly rather than through intermediaries. Tell them you want to know the truth about what they are gleaning from their most reliable sources. Let them know that if you find out they have modified, withheld or embellished any information you will not rely upon them again.

Neutral Attitude – When conflict arises take no action until the whole story is known.

When discord occurs, strive first to understand what is blocking the way toward acceptance and understanding. Start by searching for additional information to help clarify the ambiguity and/or challenge the inconsistency before deciding on a course of action. If the conflict can’t be resolved quickly, set it aside for now.

Disagreements are normal and provide a natural opportunity for teammates to identify their differences and work together to find a creative solution. The key objective is to agree to disagree until subsequent clarification is forthcoming.

Note: Adhering to the tenets of teamwork will earn you a reputation as someone who works well with others. Being known for doing the right thing the right way for the right reasons is an attribute worth pursuing. One that will serve you well throughout your life.