Are you ready to learn how great teamwork can propel your organization to high performance? next week #asking for a friend I have a conversation with my friend Dr. David Borkos About what makes a great team.
What are the characteristics of a great team?
We know that effective collaboration and cohesive teamwork lay the foundation for innovation, productivity and overall organizational success. So what are the key lessons from successful leaders and how do they nurture and foster great teamwork within their teams?
David’s work aligns with the person-centered approach of Let’s Grow Leader and he shares with us some surprising research he uncovered that supports this culture-based approach!
A person-centered approach to great teamwork
You can catch the discussion of the surprising study at the 9:09 countdown timer stamp … and read about it here:
Surprise #1: Talent has little effect on great teamwork. David says, “Taking talent and turning it into performance is much more about the culture of the team.” And he further defines culture as the habits, norms and behaviors that the team engages in.
Of course, teams need great talent… but if the team member isn’t the right fit for the team, their talent may not produce the results you’re looking for.
Surprise #2: High-performing teams (those that turn talent into performance) have many similarities. Fundamentally great teams have three things in common that we see in research (and this applies to in-person, hybrid, virtual, cross-cultural, etc.).
And it’s exciting because these are characteristics that you can study, learn, and apply throughout your organization.
Great teamwork requires a shared understanding: A shared vision, clear goals and understanding of your team
Great teamwork is rooted in a shared vision and clear goals. But from a super practical point of view team performance depends on a clear understanding of how you work together. This means you need to spend time and energy getting to know your team and learning how to work well together.
Of course, a great team needs leaders who provide clear direction that inspires and motivates their teams to achieve greatness together. But if the team doesn’t know how to support everyone’s unique greatness – so that every team member has room to work at their best and best – they may not reach the goal.
How to create a team guide
If you want better clarity about how your team works together, try creating a team guide. Ask each team member to answer and discuss these 4 key questions. And in the video David and I break it down for ourselves so you can hear examples straight from our work that will hopefully get your wheels turning around your responses.
- I am at my best when…
- I am at my worst when…
- You can count on me…
- What I need from you is…
And we want some inspiration from you! Who wants to join the fun? Answer one of these questions in the comments below so we can learn more about what makes your team great.
Now you may be wondering…what are the other 2 characteristics that high performing teams share???
To really build great teamwork into the fabric of your company or organization, you may need to take it a step further and read David’s book The best team ever! or our book Courageous cultures. Or maybe you’re ready to accelerate your team’s performance and build great teamwork with our Team Accelerator executive-led program (get your free demo here) or our Live Leadership Development program.
And (drumroll please!) the other two defining characteristics of high-performing teams are… psychological safety and pro-social purpose.
Great teamwork: psychological safety
When team members feel safe to share their thoughts, admit mistakes, and seek support without fear of judgment or retribution, you’ll land a culture of increased collaboration and innovation. You can read more about why people don’t talk and practical ways to increase psychological safety here.
Great teamwork: a pro-social cause
And a pro-social purpose reflects a genuine concern for the well-being of people, communities and the planet, and guides the organization’s decision-making and actions. People like to work for a company that has shared values and purpose…and this purpose-driven approach becomes more important as we see employees who want to align with organizations and companies that have a significant impact. Check out David’s book for more on this.
By prioritizing great teamwork, organizations can create a positive work environment, drive innovation and achieve exceptional results. So let’s commit to building and fostering great teamwork within our organizations, inspiring our teams to reach new heights together.
Check out these related articles:
Psychological Safety: Why People Don’t Speak Up at Work (letsgrowleaders.com)
Navigating Conflict in the Workplace: 3 Powerful Phrases to Foster Better Connection
5 tragic communication mistakes that sabotage teamwork
