Research shows that only 20% of leadership teams are high-performing, while at least 50% are underperforming. If you’re in a leadership role, these numbers should catch your attention.
What would it mean for your organisation if every team was performing at its highest potential? What could you achieve together if your leadership inspired greatness in every member?
Team performance is key to your organisation’s success and sustainability, so understanding what makes a team effective is vital. Building a high-performance team is crucial for any organisation's success.
The Science of High Performing Teams (David Burkus, Oral Roberts University)
Here's a guide on how you can create and maintain such teams, supported by relevant statistics.
1. Effective Leadership
Leaders play a critical role in shaping the team environment. Nearly 87% of workers have indicated that their managers significantly influence the work team environment. Leaders and managers are responsible for 70% of employee motivation and satisfaction. When employees trust their leaders, they are less inclined to consider quitting, more likely to trust their leader’s information and more likely to support company decisions.
How does your leadership style currently influence the motivation and satisfaction of your team? What could you do to build more trust and inspire greater commitment?
2. Foster a Positive Work Culture
A thriving work environment is crucial for success, with 88% of job seekers considering it vital. Nearly 70% of those who successfully adapted over the past year credited their culture for providing a competitive edge. Moreover, 94% of executives and 88% of employees deem a distinct workplace culture essential for business success.
What steps have you taken to cultivate a positive work culture in your organisation? How might enhancing your work environment give your team a competitive edge?
3. Enhance Communication
Effective communication is the top leadership quality for 75% of employees. Clear and consistent communication helps in setting expectations, providing feedback and fostering a collaborative atmosphere.
How effectively are you communicating with your team? Are you setting clear expectations and fostering a space where everyone feels heard?
4. Recognition and Rewards
Recognition significantly impacts employee motivation, with 57% indicating they would increase their efforts if they experienced improved recognition. Over 53% of employees feel the influence of their workplace culture through recognition and celebrations. This not only boosts morale but also reinforces desired behaviors and achievements.
When was the last time you recognised a team member's hard work? How could you improve the way you acknowledge and celebrate your team's achievements?
5. Encourage Continuous Learning
Leaders should foster a culture of continuous learning. Experiential learning, in particular, can lead to a 90% increase in retention scores. This strategy promotes a fast-paced, collaborative and innovative work environment, essential for maintaining high performance.
How are you promoting a culture of continuous learning within your team? What opportunities can you provide to help your team grow and innovate?
6. Boost Employee Engagement
Engaged employees are crucial for organisational success. Employees with high engagement levels demonstrate an 18% increase in productivity compared to their less engaged counterparts. High engagement also leads to a sense of ownership and motivation to drive innovation. Among highly engaged employees, 54% report a positive change in their company's culture.
What are you doing to keep your team engaged and motivated? How can you increase your team's sense of ownership and passion for their work?
7. Measure and Improve Performance
Nearly 50% of employees identify their organisation's performance approach as the strongest manifestation of its culture. Regularly measuring performance and providing constructive feedback can help in identifying areas for improvement and reinforcing strengths.
How are you currently measuring your team's performance? What changes could you make to ensure that feedback leads to meaningful improvements and success?
“It’s better to have a great team than a team of greats.” – Simon Sinek
To build a high-performing team, you need to focus on effective leadership, creating a positive work culture, improving communication, recognising and rewarding effort, encouraging continuous learning, boosting employee engagement and measuring performance.
Are you ready to take the steps necessary to transform your team into a high-performing powerhouse? How will you start inspiring, engaging, and leading your team to new heights today?
Make sure that everyone on your team feels heard and valued. Regularly check in with your team members, not just about their work, but also about their well-being. When people feel connected and valued, they are more motivated and committed to their work, leading to a stronger, more cohesive team.