How to Build High Performing Teams

What does it take to have high-performing teams that succeed at their goals? Leaders must use a mix of team member skills to bring the proper blend of talent, experience and execution.

Teamwork and Success

What is the connection between success and effective teams?  For a team to effectively function towards its company’s goals, let’s first examine the components of a team. In a publication in the American Psychologist, researchers defined teamwork as the “process through which team members collaborate to achieve goals.” Another research body states that as many as 70% of all change initiatives fail, and that most of those failures can be attributed to people problems (Maheshwari, 2015). With this alarmingly high rate of change initiative failure, we can conclude that a focused effort is required for any change initiative to be successful.

What Makes Up a Strong Team?

Strong teams rarely just happen. Research shows that there are personality or talent types that are typically present in every successful team.

The four personality or talent types that a team must have present to succeed long-term are:

Analyzers, Creators, Organizers, and Connectors

The analyzer gets answers, solves problems, and focuses on facts. The creator loves new ideas, sees the big picture, looks for new solutions and wants to have fun. The organizer creates systems, holds high standards, and focuses on getting job done. The connector is people focused, takes care of the team and stakeholders, wants to involve everyone.

In addition to the talent types, a team must also have the right mix of team strengths.

The compass is used as an analogy:

North: Results (a clear definition of what it takes to win, knowing the metrics)
East: Mission (The compelling reason for going the extra mile)
West: Standards (Empowerment means that everyone knows what expected of them. With clarity comes ownership)
South: Culture (a safe, encouraging environment where people feel comfortable collaborating and communicating freely)

TeamworkCompass(Teamwork and Collaboration in the Workplace with the Teamwork Compass, 2018)

Excellent Management of Teams

Management plays an important part in the success of a high performing team.  An exceptional team lead should aim for ideal chemistry resulting in creative collaboration.  The list below gives a helpful outline of elements to seek when forming and evaluating a team:

The 7 Keys to Creative Collaboration – (Spencer, 2017)

  • Ownership (empowered team)
  • Dependability
  • Trust
  • Structure
  • Shared Vision (common goals and direction)
  • Fun
  • Candor (honest and open)

Carefully blending the right elements and personalities can pull together the ideal team.  The results of such high-powered teams are worth the effort, and merit careful analysis of member strengths for filling key roles.  With the right focus and team synergy, unprecedented results can be accomplished by caring leaders, and the organization can win at any endeavor it undertakes.

IT Leadership

Does your IT team provide the right mix of leadership to compliment your organization’s goals?  Philantech3 is passionate about bringing expert guidance and direction for your technology program.  Your business can win when it builds and executes on its goals, and Philantech3 wants to be there with you, helping you along the way.  Call us today for a free consult on how we can help solve your IT issues.


Like this article? Check out the following blogs to learn more:

What a Wise Decision Maker Would Want from an Outsourced IT Service Company

How an IT Strategic Plan Becomes Your 2020 Competitive Advantage

Align Your Company’s Technology and Business Strategy to Deliver Powerful Results

 

 

References:

Driskell, J. E., Salas, E., & Driskell, T. (2018). Foundations of teamwork and collaboration. American Psychologist, 73(4), 334–348. Retrieved from EBSCO Multi Search in the Touro Library
Maheshwari, S., & Vohra, V. (2015). Identifying critical HR practices impacting employee perception and commitment during organizational change. Journal of Organizational Change Management, 28(5), 872-894. Retrieved from ProQuest Central  from the Touro Library
Helping Employees Manage Change. (n.d.). Retrieved from Workplace Strategies for Mental Health: https://www.workplacestrategiesformentalhealth.com/managing-workplace-issues/helping-employees-manage-change
Spencer, J. (2017, Sep 17). The 7 Keys to Creative Collaboration. Retrieved from YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DmFFS0dqQc
Teamwork and Collaboration in the Workplace with the Teamwork Compass. (2018, Dec 12). Retrieved from YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9MjOXBBcVs

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