Five Strategies for Building a High-Performing Team
Albert BarraMay 30, 2022 · 4 min read
No leader sets out to lead an ineffective team. I cannot think of any Hotel Manager who would. In fact, leaders typically invest a great deal of time and energy thinking about how to create the perfect high-performing team—one that works effectively and consistently, and delivers results.
However, there is a problem. Many of the strategies leaders have adopted to improve teamwork, although well-intentioned, are not as effective as they could be.
I would like to suggest five strategies that can help create a high-performing team that has an impact on results.
1. Achieve the right chemistry
Many leaders create teams that lack diversity and are too large. It is natural to hire people like ourselves, but this creates a team of clones. This does not help the team leverage the wide range of different skill sets available. In addition, when a team is too large, it can be difficult to build trusting relationships with colleagues. Teams need strong chemistry between individuals. A team flourishes when every member understands one another and everyone is clear about the role they play. Just think of a football team. The world's best players do not have to look up before passing the ball. They simply know where their teammates will be. This certainty that team members have each other's support creates a safe and comfortable environment in which to perform.2. Create the right rules of engagement for the team
One challenge for leaders when forming teams is how to manage the rules of engagement. The best rules of engagement identify the team's purpose, establish operating guidelines and define where responsibilities lie. However, many leaders struggle with the dilemma of how to define these rules. Do we avoid team rules so the team can be agile, flexible and autonomous, or do we impose a set of rules and risk stifling creativity and innovation? One challenge with the former approach is that no one takes the initiative, as everyone is waiting for someone else to act. This can create paralysis and has exactly the opposite effect to the one intended. Teams that develop rules of engagement are always more agile, behave more proactively and achieve their goals more often than teams that do not bother to do so. Moreover, the process of developing rules of engagement improves team cohesion and effectiveness.3. Build trust and be vulnerable
A lack of trust is the main reason why teams fail. So, how do you build trust? Being vulnerable and sharing honest stories about yourself and your experiences helps build trust. This enables team members to connect emotionally with one another and is a quick way to build trust. As Thompson noted:"Bringing up our worst moments from the past six months can genuinely help our team. Almost all of our intuitions are wrong."