How to Build a High-Performing Team
Did you know that
for most companies, it’s the team, not the individual that makes the difference in business outcomes? Developing effective teams doesn’t just happen, it takes time and effort. Once you have a high performing team, you’ll wonder why you didn’t take the steps to make it happen earlier.
Building a team that functions at a higher level takes collaboration, clarity, conflict resolution, and process management. All of this adds up to productivity levels that bring bottom-line results. Let’s get into the details below.
WHY FOCUS ON BUILDING A TEAM?
These days, companies are having to do more with less and many are relying more on team efforts to get the best results.
It’s proven that in most cases high-performing teams produce more than the sum of their individual members. Many businesses are even doing it remotely and as we recover from this pandemic, we may see many other companies employing remote work teams as well.
We agree with the saying, “it is the team - not the individual - that holds the key to business success.” High-performance teams are essential to the way most organizations organize and carry out their work, obtaining results, and building a significant competitive advantage.
IMPORTANT FOR YOUR BUSINESS
Research indicates that high-performing teams:
Get things done on time,
Are vastly more efficient than lower-performing teams,
Have increased commitment to the work and the company.
In many ways, the strength of the team is a reflection of your business. If you want an efficient, committed, productive business, you need an efficient, committed, and productive team.
Google’s extensive research on team effectiveness found that “who is on the team matters less than how the team members interact, structure their work, and view their contributions."
Google research is good news if you have trouble recruiting top talent. If you’re in an environment where you are not always able to recruit the best, you can still get the results you want if you know how to build high performing teams.
A BRIEF CASE-STUDY
We had the privilege of leading a high performing team that designed and implemented a shared services organization to provide benefits and payroll for 3500+ employees.
We lifted and shifted both benefits and payroll from 25 local business units. From start to finish it only took us nine months. It was dependent on clarifying and implementing high-performance team behaviors including supportive and engaged leadership, goal clarity, role definition, project teams, decision-making, frequent communication, trust, conflict management and creating a positive atmosphere.
When you have a high-performing team, you can simply accomplish more at a higher level.
Teams can execute more quickly, make better decisions, and solve more complex problems. High performing team members have less absenteeism, higher productivity, longer retention and improve customer service.
Thinking about building a team but need a few more people? Take a look at our complimentary ebook about how to hire the right person AND keep them. Click the button below to download.
HOW FIRST LIN HR HELPS BUILD HIGH-PERFORMING TEAMS
First Line HR has experience with teams ranging from executive leadership to first-line production, to specific projects, task forces, standing committees, and quality improvement teams.
We provide an assessment of a team’s strengths and development needs, then recommend a cost-effective development plan customized to your business schedule. We can coach individual managers or employees when needed and are available 24/7 for support and advice throughout the project.
What’s the bottom line? As a business owner, HR professional, or even a CFO, you not only need to do your best to recruit top talent and keep them, you need to focus on building a better team for your business. It sounds like a burden, but it’s exciting. We are here to help.
HAVING TROUBLE FINDING AND RETAINING HIGH-PERFORMING EMPLOYEES? Click the button below for FREE access to our latest resource about how to hire the right person AND keep them. It will give you action steps, tips, and information to help reduce turnover