Getting work done is not enough, the future of work requires high-performing teams operating with excellence and precision. One study, published in The Harvard Business Review, found that ‘‘the time spent by managers and employees in collaborative activities has ballooned by 50 percent or more’’ over the last two decades and that, at many companies, more than three-quarters of an employee’s day is spent communicating with colleagues. Most teams can get work done. But high-performing teams do it with excellence and precision.

In this leadership blog we will provide you with 3 strategies to not only help you prevent team failure but begin moving your team of individuals to a high-performing team.

Trust is at the core of high-performing teams. Often, we only look at trust between the employee and leader. Just as important, if not more important, is trust between teammates. Promote trust in your team by being intentional about how the team will work together. Talk about communication preferences, how to collaborate, and how conflict will be handled. Practice transparency by consistently and inclusively sharing information with the team. And finally, create an environment where teammates recognize, acknowledge, and thank each other.

High-performing teams have a shared vision of success. As the Cheshire Cat wisely stated in Alice in Wonderland, "If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there." So, it's crucial for your team not only to have a destination in mind but also to understand the path that will lead them there. Alignment is a key factor in team success. Without a clearly defined shared vision, each team member will be left to speculate, risking inefficiency and discord. Therefore, it's essential to consistently establish and communicate this common goal within your team.

Like trust, open communication across team members is critical for ongoing team success. An environment of open communication might be challenging to identify during smooth operations but becomes glaringly obvious in its absence. Vigilance during meetings is key - observe the level of conversation and the frequency of misunderstandings as potential indicators of underlying issues that may need to be addressed promptly.

As the team leader, you can’t predict team success / failure with absolute certainty, but you can be alert to these red flags by being an observant and proactive. During team meetings and interactions, watch the team dynamics, monitor communication, and consistently share your vision of success. Your role is to be a facilitator and problem-solver. By addressing these potential pitfalls early, you will create a foundation for team success.

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