First of all, do you need a high-performance team? If you are in a situation that relies solely on your own efforts for success, then the answer is “No.” If, however, you are part of a group, then your results can be enhanced by building a high-performance team.
Take, for example, a professional golfer. The golfer’s results are an individual versus the course. Right? Wrong! There is a caddy in the background checking conditions, yardages, etc. A sports medicine doctor creates specific training routines to keep the golfer in the best physical condition. There is an instructor that helps the pro with his game. There may be a sponsor who develops customized equipment. And to take care of business, there is a business manager, an accountant, and attorneys.
So, while it may appear as though it is just one golfer versus the course, there are really at least six or seven other people on a golfer’s high-performance team.
Building a high-performance team requires five key ingredients:
- belief in a common vision,
- commitment to work towards a common mission,
- unity among the people on the team,
- participative leadership, and
- an effective communication system.
Common Vision
A vision is the organization’s reason for being. Sometimes referred to as a statement of purpose, the vision must be an integral part of every team member.
ServiceMaster’s vision is to “Serve God in all we do.” IBM’s vision is to “Provide the best customer service.” Procter & Gamble’s vision is part of their statement of purpose: “We will provide products of superior quality and value that best fit the needs of the world’s consumers.” Finally, Jesus’ vision is concisely summarized in Luke 19:10, “For the Son of Man has come to seek and save that which was lost.”
To build a high-performance team, every member of the team must live the vision of the organization. For example, Jesus’ high-performance team, the twelve apostles, believed in the vision unto death.
Beyond having a vision, the team leader and every team member must be committed to the vision. If every single person on the team does not believe in every aspect of the team’s vision, you will never have a high-performance team.
Common Mission
Creating a mission is the second key ingredient in creating your high-performance team. Your team’s mission should be an overall expression of the work to be done as well as an understanding of the principles and values that will guide your team’s behavior.
A mission is a vision put into action. Jesus’ mission is clearly laid out in John 8:8: “Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but have everlasting light.”
His mission was to give the message of God’s salvation to the disciples so they, in turn, could give the message to the world.
Unity
If there is no unity among the people in an organization, then the vision and mission cannot be achieved.
Speaking to Israel, Moses emphasized the importance of unity in warfare in Deuteronomy 21. He commands those who have new homes or vineyards to return to them, those recently engaged to return to their loved one, and those faint of heart to return home, “so that he might not make his brother’s heart melt like his heart.”
Moses did not want anyone who was not physically and mentally prepared for the rigors of war going out to battle.
Jesus knew that Judas Iscariot did not believe in the vision. So he sent Judas from the room before he continued teaching the apostles, saying, “What you are about to do do quickly…” Jesus knew that anyone that did not believe in the vision had to be cast out. In a high-performance team, one single person who does not believe in the vision can destroy the combined efforts of the rest of the team.
There is a difference between individual differences and team unity. Most of us have participated in groups or teams where some disagreed with what work needed to be done or how the work should be done. But you knew that they had the best interests of the team at heart.
This is a very different situation from the individual who does not believe in the team’s vision and sabotages its efforts. To be effective, all team members must be bonded together by the vision and mission. No exceptions.
Leadership
Jesus also understood the importance of a leader providing an appropriate example, “I have set an example that you should do as I have done for you” (John 13:20).
If you are the leader of a high-performance team, you need to set an example of what you want from the balance of the team. Then, what you do as a leader will set the pattern of behavior for the balance of the team.
Many of us have been trained that a manager’s job is to be the supreme commander, delegate, and hold people’s feet to the fire. In a high-performance team, the team leader is to serve the team members: to lead, coach, encourage, and keep the focus of the team activity on the mission. There is still a chain of command, there is still accountability, but the leader’s attitude is exemplary.
Jesus demonstrated the attitude when he washed the apostle’s feet. Even though he was their leader, he assumed the role of a humble servant.
In the high-performance team, the manager as a team leader is responsible for using each team member’s unique skills to enhance the team’s ability to achieve its mission.
This can best be done when each individual feels their participation in the team is a valued, integral part of the team’s mission.
Effective Communications
No team can survive without an effective communication system. Every member of the team must feel like their thoughts are important. People must feel that they can voice their concerns without fear of recrimination.
Jesus taught the disciples one on one and in groups. He patiently taught the same message over and over again. He encouraged questions by creating an open atmosphere. As the manager of a high-performance team, your challenge is to maintain an environment that encourages thought and expression while maintaining focus on the vision and mission.
Profile of a High-Performance Team
High-performance teams are characterized by a strong focus on the work to be done, a united attitude amongst team members, participative leadership, and effective communications.
If these characteristics are evident on your team, congratulations, you have a high-performance team!
Bonus Whitepaper
This week’s post is excerpted from a 6-page whitepaper entitled, “What Are the Essential Elements You Need to Build A High-Performance Team?”
This whitepaper includes a broader discussion of the importance of planning, including 7-steps to get started developing your team.
You can download the whitepaper here: “What Are the Essential Elements You Need to Build A High-Performance Team?”
Join the Conversation
As always, questions and comments are welcome. For example, have you ever been a member of a high-performance team? If so, how did it impact your organization?
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Category: Skills | Team Building
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