By: Julianna Hynes, Ph.D., PCC
While some of my executive clients come to coaching to work on more personal goals such as building relationships, exuding executive presence, and communicating concisely, many come to get help with being better people leaders and learning how to create a high-performance team.
High-performance teams are crucial to any organization’s success. They provide stability and support to help companies reach their goals. However, building and maintaining an effective team is a challenge that requires hard work and proper strategies.
If you’re interested in being a strong team leader, read on. You’ll learn what makes a high-performance team, why it’s essential, and strategies to build an effective team.
What Is A High-Performance Team?
A high-performance team is a group of motivated individuals who work together toward a common goal and exhibit strong communication, trust, and respect. These teams prioritize collaboration and problem-solving, and their productivity and efficiency are top-notch. The foundation of a high-performance team is a shared purpose and psychological safety, which serve as guiding principles for the team’s actions and decisions.
What Do High-Performance Teams Do?
High-performance teams drive an organization’s success, increasing productivity and delivering better results. These teams foster a sense of unity and collaboration among members, leading to a positive work environment, improved morale and engagement, and job satisfaction. As a result, high-performance teams are more likely to achieve their goals and objectives.
How Do I Evaluate My Team’s Performance?
To enhance your team’s performance, you first must evaluate its current functioning using qualitative and quantitative methods such as interviews and surveys about the team’s communication, trust, respect, productivity, and efficiency. Once you’ve identified the strengths and weaknesses of your team, you can develop strategies to improve performance.
How Can I Improve My Team’s Performance?
Here are three tips to get you and your team on the road to higher performance:
- Set Clear and Measurable Goals and Monitor Progress: Establishing specific and achievable goals for your team is the first step to enhancing performance. These goals should be realistic, tailored to the team’s needs, and aligned with the organization’s goals. Once you establish the goals, it’s vital to have a method for tracking the team’s progress.
- Foster Psychological Safety: Team members must trust and respect each other to work effectively. This trust starts with you. Encourage open communication and establish guidelines to create a culture where everyone can confidently share ideas and ask questions.
- Show Appreciation: Find ways to show your team members how much you value and appreciate their contributions. Don’t wait until the team completes a project (but celebrate your successes by all means!). But also recognize efforts along the way and encourage the team to do the same.
Take The Next Step
Building a solid team takes time; you don’t have to do it alone. Ask your team members what they need to be their best. It takes a village to create and maintain a high-performing team.
To learn more about our executive coaching services, reach out to Julianna for a consultation.