Have you ever been a part of a team that you loved to work with? One that kept you energized and motivated? A team that you truly enjoyed being a part of? A team that you knew you would rock each project that came your way? Serving on a high-performing team is a rewarding and memorable experience! Whether you are producing record breaking financial results, introducing innovative products to the marketplace, or coaching a team to championship, there are some fundamental characteristics of high-performing teams. By examining these characteristics, we can work to recreate these experiences in all future team experiences. Today we are going to dive into 7 characteristics of high-performing teams.
- Defined Goals – High performing teams work towards a clear, defined, and common goal. This goal resonates with each individual team member. Once the goal is defined, it creates direction and builds both commitment and engagement among the team.
- Defined roles and responsibilities– Each team member is assigned a specific role and understands exactly what they must to contribute to the overall success of the team. Teams perform best when these roles are assigned specifically to each team member based on their individual strengths (and weaknesses).
- Open Communication– Communication flows smoothly across all levels of the team. Silos certainly do not exist in high-performing teams. Communication be very clear, all-inclusive, and move smoothly from one team member to the next.
- Value Diversity– A team that is composed of a diverse group of individuals from various backgrounds and viewpoints leads to more comprehensive and creative decision making. Team members who value the differences in one another perform at higher levels.
- Trust – Trust is essential to a high-performing team because each person knows they can rely on one another to complete their defined responsibilities. This allows each team member to focus on their individual responsibilities while also believing in the strength and integrity of their team mates. Trust also encourages each team member to put their self on the line for the greater good of the team. They can do this with a sense of safety from the team they are surrounded by.
- Learn from Failure– High-performing teams acknowledge failure and take the time to learn from the experience. After learning form their mistakes, teams are far less likely to ever repeat the process again in the future. High performing teams do not harp on failure or hold grudges. They simply learn from the experience and create action plans to successfully move on.
- Celebrate Success – Last but certainly not least, high-performing teams take the time to acknowledge their success. They voice appreciation for everyone’s efforts and they celebrate together. This attribute Is crucial to team moral!
Now that you have taken the time to break down the foundation of a high-performing team, I encourage you to use the above frame work to evaluate a team you are currently serving on (or leading). Does your team have defined goals? Does each team member have defined roles? Do you communicate openly and clearly? Evaluate your team and then develop an action plan to reach new levels of success!
