Home
Articles
News
  Favorite  |    Home   
 

Characteristics of High Performance Teams

Abstract: Based on significant research, Entelechy has defined characteristics of effective teams.

Entelechy reviewed over 50 studies on high performance teams and compiled a list of high performance team characteristics. We grouped characteristics into eight categories as indicated on the graphic below.

Participative Leadership

Aligned On Purpose And Vision

Task Focused
Shared Responsibility
Innovative
Problem Solving
Strong Communication
Responsive
Self Monitoring

See if your team shares characteristics of High Performance Teams. Circle the characteristics that describe your team; cross off those that don't describe your team.

PARTICIPATIVE LEADERSHIP


Envisioning leadership and organizing leadership
Clear leadership role that is shared
Enables people to make choices
Shared norms
Shared values
Members drawn to the team
Team identity
Belonging/membership
Synergism
Future focused

ALIGNED ON PURPOSE AND VISION


Common shared purpose
Clear shared vision
Self directing
High morale
Team goals align with personal goals and organization goals
Problem solving, not laying blame
Clear, shared understanding of team members' roles

TASK FOCUSED


Challenging tasks
Individual accountability/ownership
Equality in workload
Quality focus
Clear tasks and milestones
Mutual respect for ability
Commitment

SHARED RESPONSIBILITY


Shared decision making
Rewards linked to team performance
Recognize expertise/value added in individuals
Cooperation
Clear standards of acceptable performance
Celebrates success
Clear authority and responsibility
Contribution
Members responsible for team success

INNOVATIVE


Creative talents
May promote personal relationships
Respect for individuals
Empowered and empowering

PROBLEM SOLVING


Upfront and direct; confronts issues not people
Trust
Clear decision-making process
Conflicts managed well
Freedom to express ideas
Freedom to share opinions

STRONG COMMUNICATION


Superb communication
Open communication
Openness
Clear communication channels
Share common language and terminology
External communications
Time managed well
Structure, purposeful meetings (facilitator, timekeeper, recorder, scribe)

RESPONSIVE


Unite/partner with other teams
Flexible
Outward focused
Focus on the customer
Allows risks and mistakes
Promotes group learning

SELF MONITORING


Self correcting; evaluates its own performance
Individuals pleased with work results
Assigns opposing views

About The Author

Terence R. Traut is the president of Entelechy, Inc., a company that helps organizations unlock the potential of their people through customized training programs in the areas of sales, management, customer service, and training. Check out our 40 customizable modules, training tools, and eGuides at www.unlockit.com. Terence can be reached at 603-424-1237 or ttraut@unlockit.com


 

Related Articles

 
Station Teams: Assembly Required     As it relates to the business of team work, data gathering and decision making exist on a single continuum. He is the author of the management cult classic, Climbing From the Fifth Station: A guide to building teams that work!

What Every Manager, Parent, and Teacher Should Know About How to Unify Employees, Families, & Youth     * Continually develop and maintain self-esteem and a sense of achievement. Strive for Agency Unification:* Live the agency's unifying principles as well as your own. * Promote loyalty within the agency by word and action.

Marche, or How Teams Work.     She told us, "If you are in charge of a team and you get it wrong, the team will cease to function. Dogs who get so excited at the prospect of pulling that at the beginning of the day when they are fresh they will at times go too fast. Peter A Hunter, Author of "Breaking the Mould", http://www.

Building Successful Work Relationships--Playing In The Same Sandbox     Our sensitivity to and concern for others is demonstrated as we attempt to understand their perspectives. Althea DeBrule, entrepreneur and seasoned human resources executive, has focused for more than 30 years on helping people achieve their career goals.

Creating Unity In Your Company     com specializes in helping people to achieve maximum success and live the life of their dreams. com - visit now to hear leading motivational speakers and authors share their tips and advice with you.

Dealing with People that Drive You Crazy!     No matter how I tried to justify my behavior, I couldn't convince myself that she was wrong. I had to change my behavior. Donna Doyon, Activities Coordinator for Your Virtual Retreat is the author of GLOW: Renew Your Spirit & Release Your Inner Beauty.

Do You Want to Get Others to Improve Their Performance? Then Expect the Best     It must be something that you believe he or she can achieve. She gave me a goal that she believed was possible for me, and since it was not that far away from what I had already done, it seemed that if I put forth the effort then I could achieve it.

The Team Process     We live in very progressive times, one only has to look around at the changes on the internet each day to see that this is true.We see changes also happening within the world around us as well, sometimes for the better sometimes not.

Motivation - The Benefits of Spending Time with Your Team     Discover how you can generate more business by motivating your team! Alan Fairweather is the author of "How to get More Sales by Motivating Your Team" This book is packed with practical things you can do to get the best out of your people.

Hand Out Warm Glows     "Discover how you can generate more business without having to cold call! Alan Fairweather is the author of "How to get More Sales without Selling" This book is packed with practical things that you can do to - get customers to come to you.