Characteristics of a Successful Team

Pep rallies, team songs and cheerleaders seem to work in the world of sport. In the world of business, however, the need to analyse risk, recognize opportunity and anticipate change has sharpened our critical thinking and problem solving skills to a fine point. That leaves little room for team spirit and lots of opportunities for accidental jabs and pokes. What suffers, in the end, is the morale and productivity of the team. Team members can feel hurt, criticized, and vulnerable. As an entity of its own, the team itself will lack a confident, respectful, harmonious voice.

The opposite is sometimes true. To maintain a false sense of calm, keep things light and fun, and insulate relationships from the heat of conflict, teams can create a culture of “don’t rock the boat”. Difference of opinion and truth-telling are discouraged. Creativity is stifled. Change is suppressed. Once again, productivity declines sharply. This attitude towards conflict grows from a worldview that sees diversity of perspective and experience as a risk to relationships rather than a means to strengthen collaborations with others. The voice of these teams is superficially in tune but artificially produced.

In a high-performing team, team members are able to think critically, solve problems and embrace change within an environment of trust, respect, and open-mindedness. Team members can offer feedback and express difference of opinion in a way that doesn’t feel painful or threatening. There are no pointy sticks. The boat can rock without anyone falling overboard. The team shares a purpose, is committed to results, and brings out the best in each member.

According to Jon Katzenbach and Douglas Smith, a successful team will exhibit six qualities:

• shared purpose or mission
• shared commitment
• shared performance goals and measures
• shared behavioural norms
• shared team practices; and
• clear roles

The team systems work practiced by Sage Portfolio Group identifies 14 key strengths for team success. Seven strengths relate to the productivity of the team, and seven to the “positivity” of the team (or the positive, constructive nature of team relations). These strengths can be measured by a validated assessment tool, developed by Team Diagnostic International. For more on the assessment tool, click here.

This model of team effectiveness states that high performing teams not only exhibit these strengths, but that by increasing positivity, the team’s productivity will improve.

Productivity Strengths

These are factors that enable the team to perform required functions. A strong team requires the following:

• Goals & Strategies: goals are clear and strategies to reach those goals are identified
• Alignment: the team has a sense of common purpose and they are “on the same page”
• Accountability: roles are clear and follow-through is high level and consistent. Accountability is held within the team, not imposed from the outside
• Resources: the team has access to adequate resources and expertise
• Decision-making: decision-making processes are efficient and effective
• Proactive approach: innovation and change are valued. The team is flexible and responsive
• Team Leadership: each member has the skills to take a leadership role as the situation requires. Formal leadership is supportive and clearly defined

Positivity Strengths

These are the factors that relate to group process and interrelationship among team members. A strong team requires the following:

• Optimism: team members share an inspiring vision. They are enthusiastic, forward-looking and appreciate each other
• Trust: it is safe to have a differing opinion or tell the truth. Team members can count on each other
• Respect: team members treat each other with high regard and recognize the value of each member
• Communication: is clear, direct and efficient
• Constructive Interaction: conflict is seen as necessary and contributing to growth. Difference of opinion is handled responsibly and positively
• Camaraderie: team members feel like they belong. The team celebrates successes and knows how (and when) to have fun
• Values Diversity: difference in perspective, background, approach, personality and lifestyle is vital, valued and sought out.