A Deloitte study found that 73% of employees who participate in teamwork report improved performance, while 60% say it boosts innovation.

Teamwork is essential to the success of any organization, but it can be affected by a number of factors that lower productivity, motivation, and collaboration among colleagues. 

An effective team works best when there is communication, trust, and clear goals. In this article, we’ll explore ten common issues that can affect teamwork and offer solutions to help you avoid them in your organization.

1. Poor communication

Lack of clear communication can lead to misunderstandings, confusion, and conflict within the team. When information is not properly shared or is misinterpreted, team efficiency drops.

How to avoid this problem:

• Use digital tools for internal communication (Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet)
• Set regular meetings to discuss project progress
• Encourage clarity and constructive feedback

2. Lack of effective leadership

A team without a strong leader can become disorganized and lose direction. Poor leadership means unclear goals, lack of support, and unresolved conflicts.

LinkedIn report: 79% of employees say they would leave their job if they don’t feel appreciated by their leaders.

How to prevent this:

• Make sure the team has a leader who understands each member’s needs
• Set clear objectives and guide the team toward them
• Offer support and encouragement to keep motivation high

3. Lack of trust among colleagues

When team members don’t trust each other, collaboration becomes difficult and efficiency suffers. This can lead to conflict and reluctance to share ideas.

How to build trust:

• Promote a culture of transparency and mutual respect
• Organize team-building activities
• Recognize efforts and encourage collaboration

4. Unresolved conflicts

Conflicts are normal in any work environment, but if not handled properly, they can harm productivity and morale. Unaddressed issues create tension and a negative atmosphere.

How to manage conflicts:

• Address issues quickly and openly
• Encourage constructive discussions and common solutions
• Ensure every team member feels heard and respected

5. Lack of clarity in roles and responsibilities

When team members are unsure of their responsibilities, confusion, task overlap, and inefficiency arise.

How to avoid this:

• Clearly define each team member’s role
• Set specific goals and realistic deadlines
• Ensure everyone understands what’s expected of them

6. Lack of motivation and engagement

Unmotivated teams become apathetic and less interested in project success. This lowers productivity and overall results.

How to boost motivation:

• Acknowledge and reward both individual and team achievements
• Provide opportunities for professional development
• Foster a positive and supportive work environment

7. Employee overload

When employees have too many tasks, stress and burnout increase, leading to decreased productivity and work quality.

How to prevent this:

• Distribute tasks fairly among the team
• Set clear priorities and avoid unrealistic deadlines
• Ensure employees have the resources they need

8. Lack of collaboration

Sometimes team members work in silos, which reduces efficiency and leads to duplicated efforts.

Salesforce report: 86% of leaders attribute workplace failures to poor collaboration. This highlights how essential teamwork is to success.

How to encourage collaboration:

• Hold regular meetings to update project statuses
• Promote idea sharing and peer feedback
• Set shared goals that require collaboration to achieve

9. Resistance to change

Teams may struggle with adopting new tools, methods, or processes. Resistance to change slows progress and reduces performance.

How to manage change:

• Explain the benefits and involve the team in decisions
• Offer training and resources for smoother transitions
• Provide ongoing support and encourage an innovation-friendly mindset

10. Lack of constructive feedback

Without clear feedback, employees don’t know what they’re doing well or what needs improvement. This impacts both individual and team performance.

Gallup data: 80% of employees who received constructive feedback in the past week feel fully engaged in their work.

How to improve feedback culture:

• Hold regular individual and team feedback sessions
• Be specific and solution-oriented in your feedback
• Create an environment where feedback is welcome from everyone

 

Teamwork can be challenged by many issues, but with the right strategies, they can be prevented or effectively managed. Clear communication, strong leadership, motivated teams, and role clarity are essential for long-term success.

 

Sources:

Forbes: Ten Teamwork Killers, And How To Avoid Them

Indeed: 11 Common Barriers to Teamwork and How You Can Overcome Them

ProofHub: Workplace collaboration statistics 2025

Linkedin: 22 Inspiring Leadership Statistics

Gallup: How Effective Feedback Fuels Performance

 

READ ALSO:

The Most Requested Employee Benefits for Temporary Workers

Strategies to Maintain Productivity in Mixed Teams: Permanent and Temporary Employees