Real communication equals syngergy

A team that likes working together is more productive. This is a well known fact.

But how does one build the team spirit? How does one help a team get to know and like each other?

Sure there are team building event like BBQs and pizza lunches, but in order to really get to know each other, team members need to share their inner thoughts and feelings. If team members are reserved, keeping their professional and personal perspective to themselves, communications will be strained and superficial. It is when team members feel comfortable enough to share their personal thoughts and fears, successes, failures, and eurekas, that team members begin to feel association with the team and support from within the team.

Sure, as a project manager, you need to provide challenging assignments and clear lines of authority/responsibility, celebrate the successes and minimize hostilities... but it is only when team members really communicate, in a heart felt manner, when they truly appreciate the value that each team member brings to the project, that the team will work together in a synergistic and collaborative way that accomplishes truly amazing results.