Learn about the factors that contribute to a high performing team and how to address common issues. Explore the importance of trust and connection, embracing discomfort and differences, and resolving problems within a team. Discover the concept of 'fast flagging' and 'team follow-up' for quick resolution. Find out how to measure progress and enhance team performance through evaluation and reflection.
Fostering trust in a team involves creating a safe environment for individuals to be themselves and addressing conflicts openly to maintain accountability and resolve issues promptly.
Encouraging constructive conflict and embracing differing viewpoints can lead to better outcomes and decision-making, creating an environment where individuals feel safe expressing their opinions is crucial.
Deep dives
Building Trust and Overcoming Dysfunctions
Trust is crucial in building high-performing teams. Absence of trust creates grudges, lack of help-seeking, and avoidance of spending time together. To foster trust, teams should create a safe environment where individuals feel comfortable being themselves. One way to do this is by asking team members how they can contribute to the team's success and hinder its progress. Another important aspect is addressing conflicts openly and embracing discomfort and messiness. Fast flagging and team follow-up can help maintain accountability and resolve issues promptly.
Encouraging Constructive Conflict
Fear of conflict can hinder team productivity. Teams that avoid conflict tend to agree all the time and miss out on valuable insights and perspectives. Encouraging constructive conflict is essential to achieve better outcomes. Teams need to be comfortable enough to challenge each other and engage in healthy disagreements. By embracing differing viewpoints, teams can make better decisions and move forward. Creating an environment where individuals feel safe expressing their opinions is crucial. Teams should also explore what stops them from challenging each other and foster an open atmosphere for discussion and growth.
Fostering Commitment and Accountability
Lack of commitment can lead to missed deadlines, blame culture, and repeated discussions. To foster commitment, teams should involve everyone in the decision-making process and ensure that individuals feel ownership over the team's goals. It's important to clarify priorities and connect each action with the reasons why it matters to the individual, the team, and the organization. By sharing actions and status transparently, teams can avoid unnecessary check-ups and ensure everyone is on the same page. Designing team-based rewards and recognizing collective achievements can further enhance commitment.
Staying Focused on Results
Teams often lose focus on their goals and get distracted by non-priority tasks. Maintaining attention to results requires a team-first approach where team goals trump individual needs. Teams should be mindful of not getting caught up in urgent but unimportant work and prioritize the outcomes that truly move the team forward. Fast flagging potential risks and having a team follow-up process can help address issues promptly and prevent further setbacks. Establishing a culture of no say-do gap helps ensure that team members follow through on their commitments and contribute to overall success.
This week, Helen and Sarah talk about the factors that contribute to a high performing team. They dive into Patrick Lencioni's work on the Five Dysfunctions of a Team and share ideas for action to help you address common issues that impact teams. If you feel like your team would be 'even better if.....', this episode will be a useful listen.
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