Creating a high-performing team is a strategic process that involves assessing current effectiveness, envisioning an ideal team dynamic, communicating effectively, planning for success, and taking a proactive stance in team development. This article outlines a five-step approach to elevate your team's performance and ensure sustainable success.
The foundation of building a successful team lies in understanding its current state. To gauge your team's effectiveness, consider these methods:
According to a study by Google's Project Aristotle, the most important dynamics of effective teams include psychological safety, dependability, structure and clarity, meaning, and impact. Ensuring these elements are present can significantly boost team performance.
Begin with a clear vision of what an exceptional team looks like. This vision should encompass:
Involve your team in this creative process to foster buy-in and generate innovative ideas. According to a report by the Institute for Corporate Productivity, companies that promote collaborative working are five times more likely to be high-performing.
Effective communication is vital for team success. Remember these tips:
A study by Salesforce found that 86% of employees and executives cite lack of collaboration or ineffective communication for workplace failures.
With a clear vision and communication strategy, it's time to set goals. Effective goals should be:
Workshops on goal setting can provide a more in-depth understanding of creating actionable plans.
As a leader or member, your advocacy for the team is crucial. Encourage growth by:
Regular investment in your team's development is key to maintaining motivation and productivity. According to the Association for Talent Development, companies that offer comprehensive training programs have 218% higher income per employee than those without.
In conclusion, building a successful team is a deliberate and ongoing process. By following these five steps and committing to continuous improvement, you can lead your team to achieve remarkable results and sustain high performance over time.
Is Your Team Hiding Behind Masks?
Often many team members don "masks" that they hide behind in their communications and interactions with their team members. They are often afraid to be "real" with their colleagues - they are afraid to speak their true thoughts/feelings because it might create conflict, or because their organizational culture supports "sugar coating the truth" instead.
Has Your Team Lost It's Mind(fulness)?
Teams are impacted greatly by the level of mindfulness, or presence, of its team members. Teams that are fully present with and for each other are typically more successful. How mindful is your team on any given day?
How Well Are You Managing Change?
Change has an impact on you whether you work for someone else, work for yourself, or don't work at all. The truth of the matter is that change is constantly happening all around us! Being flexible and able to adapt to change in a way that works for you and not against you is key -- both personally and professionally. Learn 3 key tips to managing change.
