Members share the common characteristics of high-performing business teams.
Photos courtesy of individual members.
1. Inclusive Thinking
Inclusive thinking is key. When teams think inclusively, not only do
people feel comfortable sharing unique perspectives but teams benefit
from the value of exploring more possibilities. In a world that is
uncertain and volatile, we need inclusive behaviors and thinking to
drive performance and innovation. Inclusive thinking is systems
thinking. It's collaborative, open and exploratory. - Candice McGlen, The Rinker Group
2. Diversity
Diversity has always been a key to cohesive, high-performing teams.
We reach levels of performance that we did not even know we had when we
are challenged and surrounded by those who are different than us. Too
much of the same is dangerous and prohibitive to high performance. Hire
for diversity and create a culture that allows diversity to be
appreciated and celebrated. - Lotus Buckner, NCH
3. Respect And Trust
To be a high-performing team, it’s really critical for the team to
have respect and trust, be able to throw blind passes and hold each
other accountable with hard candid debates and conversations to get to
the best answer for the business. High-performing teams look forward to
solving together, winning together and having fun together. - Rohini Shankar, CIOX Health
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4. Personal Excellence
Many factors play a part in a sustainable high-performing team, but
personal excellence is a must. Holding ourselves accountable for showing
up in excellence every day allows other high-performing team
characteristics to thrive, such as deep trust, "iron sharpening iron,"
confidence, and a consistent culture of excellence amongst the entire
team driven by personal accountability. - Genine Wilson, Kelly Services
5. Communication
While there are many elements that make up a cohesive and successful
team, communication is one of the most essential building blocks.
Especially now, as so many teams are forced to work remotely, employees
and managers must make an extra effort to communicate regularly using
video and messaging software in order to ensure projects are completed
and team unity is maintained. - John Feldmann, Insperity
6. Healthy Conflict
Healthy conflict is an essential element. Groupthink kills innovation
and creativity. If the team does not have diversity of thought or
individuals do not feel safe to dissent, productivity will be stunted.
The status quo is maintained and real progress and higher performance
are impossible. Being able to question things in a constructive way will
make the outcome stronger and more inclusive. - Rebecca Baumgartner, Ogletree Deakins
7. Adaptability
The pandemic has shown the highest performing teams are those most
capable of adapting to change. Businesses are forced to reimagine how
work gets done. For some, that change is painful. Those managing it well
have a culture built on purpose, values and collaboration rather than
process. It’s about focusing on the human part of human agility,
recognizing, respecting and leveraging individual strengths. - Debra Thorpe, Kelly
8. Engagement
Highly engaged teams give discretionary effort and routinely go above
and beyond for the team win. To achieve this, you need a connected
culture with two-way communications and sharing how each person's role
contributes to the overall result. - Cat Graham, Cheer Partners
9. Psychological Safety
Research supports the notion of the importance of a culture of
psychological safety on a team. Team leaders must support and model a
culture where all team members feel they can speak up freely and raise
issues of importance to the team's work. Google found that having
psychological safety on the team is the critical element of team
success. Underperforming teams often lack psychological safety. - Heide Abelli, Skillsoft
10. Decision-Making Flexibility
High-performing teams have the freedom and flexibility to make
decisions in real-time rather than waiting for management approval.
While some decisions may need to be rolled back upon review, team
members who work in specific areas of the company on a daily basis are
the best equipped to make processes more efficient, and allowing them to
do so will help the team pivot faster and perform better. - Laura Spawn, Virtual Vocations, Inc.
11. Openness To Innovation
Openness to innovative future-forward ideas is in the DNA of cohesive
and high-performing teams, as evidenced during this pandemic. Remote
teams, using multiple channels — text, video, chatbots, email, and
phone, continue to sustain a continuously engaged and growth mindset in
dealing with the challenges coming at them each day. This approach has
set everyone up for success no matter what comes next! - Jay Polaki, HR Geckos
12. Ability To Surmount Challenges
Here's a new one, 2020-style. The ability to surmount challenges
thrown at us from outside the workplace now even more clearly defines a
high-performing team. There are the obvious, devastating challenges like
COVD-19. But challenge is constant, like yesterday's tropical storm.
When we demonstrate empathy toward team members, and even cover for them
when the power's out, that's power in itself. - Jeremy Ames, Hive Tech HR
13. Behavioral Awareness
Behavioral awareness and understanding of team dynamics in terms of
personal strengths/weaknesses is key. Overall behavioral insights
(personality styles) give you a strategic advantage to position
individuals within the team to best utilize those strengths to achieve
high-performing results. For example, don't place your least
detail-oriented teammate to be responsible for project management
execution. - Jennifer Beezer, SPHR, SHRM-CP, FOREO Inc.
14. Pride In The Company
The main characteristic that makes up a high-performing team is the
fact that the team is in it for the company along with their own
happiness. We, as employees, have to learn to take pride in the company
we work for. Once that pride is established, it will shine and we, as
people, employees and family members, will shine. This is the main
characteristic that makes up a good high-performing team. - Melissa Bolton, Perlon Hahl Inc.
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