How does culture play a role in team performance? What makes some teams perform better than others? Is it really possible to create a high performing team?
High performing teams are those who consistently deliver great results. They are able to overcome challenges and achieve their goals despite facing obstacles along the way. The key to creating such a team lies in understanding its unique characteristics.
This book explores the concept of culture within organizations and provides practical insights into how to build a high performing team. It also offers strategies to improve communication, collaboration, motivation, and leadership skills.
High performance teams are critical to success in today's fast-paced and ever-changing business environment. In order to remain competitive, it is imperative that organization's create a high-performance culture to increase organizational performance.
The difference between a high performance team and a mediocre team boils down to one key differentiator; Results! High performance teams are made up of "A Players" who consistently achieve more and do it better than their peer groups. These teams are driven by mastery, autonomy, and purpose (Daniel Pink, "Drive").
In order to succeed at becoming a high performance team, constant feedback and review of team and individual plans and action items is necessary. There is one primary "rule" that must be followed to be successful in feedback and review - Rhythm. Rhythm, or Cadence, is a steady and consistent pattern - just as you do with breathing. There is a natural Rhythm to breathing that keeps us alive, growing, and healthy. It is "habit" and if that cadence were interrupted, we would find ourselves struggling for air, possibly to survive. Just as we need this simple, yet fundamental act to sustain ourselves, businesses need a Rhythm to thrive and grow.
The first step in creating a Rhythm that leads to a high performance team is to set yourself up as a high performance team member. In order to do that, you must set aside time each week to have a "Meeting With Yourself." In carving out time for yourself at the end of each week to reflect on the week just completed and plan for the coming week, you are focusing your attention on moving yourself and your team closer to achieving goals and objectives by evaluating progress and planning strategically from week to week. There are several key elements to success in this DIY (Do It Yourself) Meeting Rhythm:
1. Schedule a weekly meeting with yourself for this process
2. Evaluate your progress for the week you are ending.
3. Plan your coming week based on what you have (or have not) accomplished in the week you are ending.
4. Bring this information to a pre-scheduled weekly meeting to discuss and review with your team. Be prepared to help your team with their weekly priorities, action items and stucks as each member reports out.
Executing these habits in a regular Rhythm over time will transform your team from a mediocre team to a High Performance Team. Keep your high performing team accountable with the 5 C's of Leadership Accountability framework.
The Power of Systems and People: Accountable Leaders and Teams leadership development program to improve team performance.
Take Our Team Accountability Assessment to see how your team stacks up.
Why You Need a Peak Performance Plan for Your A-Players
Team Accountability Begins with Personal Accountability
How top CEOs Close the Strategy Execution Gap
Building Team Accountability: Job Scorecards
10 Signs of an Accountable Culture [Infographic]
Growing Team Accountability in Your Organization
Quick Tips for Building Accountability
5 Steps to Having an Accountability Discussion [Video]
Learn more about accountable leaders and teams.