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For Leaders
HIGH-PERFORMING
TEAMS “"Teamwork begins by building trust. And
the only way to do that is to overcome our
need for invulnerability." – Patrick Lencioni
Cultivating high-performing teams has long been a business and leadership imperative for organizations.
Research shows that high-performing teams better contribute to the business and are nearly two times (2x) more
likely to have above-average financial performance when they are working toward common goals. By definition,
these teams are made up of highly-focused, highly-skilled and hyper-aligned employees.
CHARACTERISTICS OF ACTIONS TO CULTIVATE
HIGH-PERFORMING TEAMS HIGH-PERFORMING TEAMS
Trust is Paramount Building Trust
Building trust among team members is the most • Be respectful and empathetic
critical ingredient for high-performance. High- • Practice active and genuine listening
performing teams need talented people, but trust • Put away your phones and be “fully present” during meetings
based cooperation among members is vital. • Make eye contact and engage with team members
Hyper-Aligned on Goals Aligning Goals
Goals unite teams. High-performing teams • Discuss team goals and overall vision for the work
understand their common goals and have a keen • Clearly communicate objectives
sense of direction which empowers them to • Share leadership
achieve their shared vision. • Ask how team members see their role in supporting the work
Healthy Conflict and Tension Leads Working Through Conflict
to Better Results • Take time to hear other team member points-of-view and perspectives
Healthy and respectful conflict and team tension especially when they challenge your own
can lead to viewing challenges from different • Consider “switching sides” and trying to argue from their point of view,
points of view, and taking into account previously and visa-versa, this can help “poke holes” in your own stance and lead
unforeseen concerns. to innovative solutions, while promoting respect, trust, and higher team
performance
Diversity Fosters Innovation and Fostering Diversity
Creative Problem Solving • Seek out all forms of diversity (ethnic, gender, background, age, etc.)
Diverse teams bring new ways of thinking and • Collaborate with team members with different backgrounds, lived
foster an environment of innovative problem experiences, and opinions which can provide novel ways of looking at
solving, creativity, and solution generation. challenges
Communicate Through Storytelling Communicating Through Stories
Conveying ideas and communicating through • Tell the story behind the data and statistics – most people resonate
stories can improve team effectiveness and more with stories and their impact than with hard numbers
increase empathy across the team. • Bring in the “human factor” to build trust and empathy on the team
Foster Psychological Safety Promoting Psychological Safety
Team members have a shared belief that the team • Empower teams to take smart risks
is a safe environment to be their authentic self and • Allow team members to bring up problems, challenges, or issues
are enabled to take smart risks. without fear of being ostracized or rejected
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
DREAM TEAMS: Working Together without Falling Apart
This book provides readers with the tips, tricks, and anecdotes for how to increase team performance
Audio Blinkist Book Summary, Hilton University
Talks @ Google with the Author: Shane Show
Google re:Work – Fostering Psychological Safety
This toolkit provides materials, resources, and practical considerations to foster Psychological Safety on teams
Google re:Work Resources
Knowledge@Wharton: Building High-Performance Teams
This videos provides considerations for developing high-performing teams
Knowledge@Wharton Video
High-Performing Teams:
Reflection Worksheet
Building Trust. What will you do to build trust on the team?
Consider which actions you will take to help build trust on your team. What factors should you consider?
What actions will you take?
Aligning Goals, Setting Direction and Managing Conflict and Tension.
How will you align the team toward a common goal and What steps will you take to effectively manage healthy
set the direction? conflict?
Fostering Diversity
Give two or three specific examples of how you will promote diversity on the team.
Communicating Through Storytelling & Promoting Psychological Safety
What are some ways you can increase team How will you ensure that team members are
empathy and communicate though stories? empowered to take smart risks?
