The Ingredients for a High Performing Team

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Much has change in the past few years. Even notwithstanding the Covid pandemic, waves of digital innovation have fundamentally and irreversibly shifted the way we work. The way in which we communicate, collaborate and problem-solve as a team is based on new values. Google’s Project Aristotle uncovered the five most important dynamics for high performing teams as:

  1. Psychological Safety

    Considered to be the holy grail, many teams search for, but very few find. Psychological safety is not something that can be born overnight, it is the culmination of openness, transparency and accountability. It has been proven that teams who are operating in a psychologically safe way will outperform teams who aren’t. According to the Google research, sales teams who didn’t feel safe missed their targets by 19%, whereas teams who felt they were operating in a psychologically safe environment exceeded them by 17%.

  2. Dependability

    Closely linked to psychological safety, teams who felt they could trust one another to get things done is a huge driver towards overall performance and output. Not only does this increase trust, but it also enables autonomy, and often this sense of ownership over a specific project or task empowers individuals to be their best.

  3. Structure and Clarity

    According to management consultant Peter Drucker, “there is nothing quite so useless as doing with great efficiency something that shouldn’t be done in the first place”. Despite a growing trend towards fostering agility in the workplace, and flattening hierarchies, it’s important not to lose sight of what’s important. Having shared goals, meaningful structure and clear responsibilities within teams enables momentum for change.

  4. Meaning

    We all get out of bed everyday because we want to feel like we making the world a better place. We want to know that our work matters, and contributes to something bigger. This sense of purpose is very personal and will differ from team member to team member. Your values and your morals play a big part in the world you seek to create.

  5. Impact

    Teams that feel their work is recognised and makes a difference. We all like to feel that our work is contributing to the companies success, and that we are valued for our contribution

There is, however, and important 6th Ingredient we feel underpins all five that are outlined above; Balance.

Whilst Balance sometimes get’s confused with Stability, they are fundamentally different things. Businesses are undergoing waves of transformation that are impossible to control, but very necessary to ride. 

Stability, by definition, is the strength to stand and endure. It feels finite, as if it is something to reach and then hold onto for as long as possible.  Balance, by contrast, exists in a state of flux. We can strive towards balance, but it is an infinite journey. Strength is based not on the steadfast ability to hold onto a position, but rather your ability to adapt and grow 🌼

Balance can eventuate in many ways:

  • Team members feel as though they are supported, and can support one another

  • We may not be able to return to a time of stability, but balance will help us navigate uncertain times

  • As a team, we continue to learn together

Without Balance, the other five aspects of team effectiveness will fail to flourish.

If you want to see how your team stacks up, why not try out the free Coteam Effectiveness Audit.

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