Teamwork vs. Collaboration: 7 Key Differences

Teamwork is when two or more people work together to reach a common goal. Teamwork is a cooperative effort that both requires and promotes cohesion, as each member of the team must do their part to ensure that every piece comes together effectively. Teamwork in the work environment can increase creativity, align team members, hone communication skills, and increase employee engagement.

For example, a car company developing a new car model requires a large team of engineers, designers, and support staff, each of whom will have different skills and talents to bring to the table. Work areas and silos of activity might work toward a shared goal, but teamwork and open communication between the entire team is critical to a successful project.

Collaboration is when a group of workers with a common purpose work together and as equals, sharing responsibilities in a free-flowing, non-hierarchical manner. Workplace collaboration requires strong interpersonal skills and problem-solving know-how and is especially useful in brainstorming and group discussions.

An example of collaboration might be a brainstorming session among app developers. Members of the design team might share ideas and build a consensus on how to approach the design process for the app. In this collaborative approach, no single person is leading, and each group member contributes to the discussion.

Collaborative teamwork, also known as team collaboration, refers to the combination of collaboration tools and teamwork skills in the same project or workplace. In this hybrid approach, the level playing field of collaborative effort joins the coordinated specialization of effective teamwork.

Teamwork and collaboration are both of great value to a workplace, but there are a few key differences:

1. 1. Communication: Teamwork and collaboration both require strong communication skills. In collaboration, sharing information and communicating are generally free-flowing. Team members with different roles and responsibilities need direct, personalized contact to ensure tasks are on track in a teamwork approach.
2. 2. Decision-making: Collaborative groups often employ group decision-making methods to reach a consensus. Teamwork, on the other hand, can have a pecking order, in which final decisions are made by a skilled team leader, even though the team members may deliberate them.
3. 3. Conflict management: Conflict can arise in teamwork and collaboration, especially if the members are inexperienced working in groups. In teamwork, team leaders should acknowledge individual efforts to make group members feel valued and prevent conflict. Strong personalities can lead to conflict in collaborative settings—a shared commitment to non-hierarchical ethics is essential.
4. 4. Active listening: Active listening is essential for teamwork and collaboration, so each team member feels heard. In collaborative settings, group members should be aware of nonverbal communication and avoid speaking over others as part of active listening.
5. 5. Time management: Time management varies for teamwork and collaboration. In teamwork, time management may be the responsibility of specific individuals, whereas, in effective collaboration, the whole group has to possess time management skills.
6. 6. Project management: Keeping a group of people on task and engaged in a common goal is a constant challenge. In collaboration, this requires a delicate balance between the different skillsets of the group’s members and a shared commitment to the end result. In teamwork, there usually is a member whose specific task is ensuring the workflow is efficient and focused.
7. 7. Self-awareness: Teamwork and collaboration require individual team members to have good self-awareness, both of their own skills and their role in the larger group. However, the social skills necessary for successful collaboration tend to be more emotionally based, as the viewpoints of all need to be acknowledged.

All you need is a MasterClass Annual Membership and our exclusive video lessons from the likes of Elaine Welteroth (the former editor in chief of Teen Vogue and host of CBS’ The Talk), Issa Rae (the powerhouse multihyphenate behind HBO’s Insecure), Robin Arzón (the lawyer-turned-head instructor of Peloton), and other luminaries who have have embraced the twists and turns on the path to professional success. With their guidance, you’ll learn how to lean into your strengths, follow your heart, and build the career of your dreams.