High-Performing Teams: The Foolproof Formula & Hidden Truths

I came across a team in Kosovo that was stuck in the arena of office politics.

As the team was working on a project, they were restricted

 in growth and squished into a tin can, ready to be sealed up, 

packaged and labelled “we tried that and it didn’t work". 

Instead of using vision and drive to see the team’s potential, 

ego had control of the wheel.

Lucky for the team, the leader left and they finally had a chance to shine. 

But now, everyone was stuck on their own ideas and 

there was no voice that held the need for the greater vision.

Everyone stayed in their own lanes, 

doing their own thing with their own goals. 

Without teamwork, it was impossible to move 

forward and so the project stayed idle for 6 months.

Soon, a new leader was handed the task 

of bringing the team back together. 

With a new perspective and approach, it was interesting to witness.

A new culture was being born and people were quick to jump on board.

Every member on the team was individually interviewed to get to 

know the team, their strengths, trust and opportunities.

 After interviewing all 25 members, there was a clear vision 

as to where the team was and where they needed to go.

The leader created reporting structures: 

smaller weekly meetings and greater monthly meetings. 

The monthly meeting created a social reporting 

structure, it gave everyone a voice and a way to 

receive recognition for the work they’d done.

Watching a team transform from aimlessly wandering 

without a leader to becoming fully engaged was incredible.

It’s amazing how a social outlet can help a 

team do a complete 180 for the better. 

Each person felt included in a team, 

their work was valued and they knew they were contributing.

Google studied over 180 Google teams, conducted over 

200 interviews, and analysed over 250 

different team attributes over a two year period.

After much review and researching, they found 

the secret was hidden with the intangibles.

 A list of five key characteristics of enhanced teams included:

Dependability: 

 Completing tasks and reaching expectations.

Structure and clarity: 

Clear goals and well-defined roles within the group.

Meaning: 

The work has personal significance to each member.

Impact: 

They feel their work is purposeful and positively impacts the world.

Psychological Safety: 

 Where everyone is safe to take risks, voice their opinions, 

and ask judgment-free questions. 

A culture where managers provide air cover and create 

safe zones so employees can let their guard down.

Google now describes psychological safety as the 

most important factor in building a successful team.

The best teams are mindful that all members 

should contribute to the conversation equally, 

and respect one another’s emotions. 

It has less to do with who is in a team, and more with 

how the members interact with one another.

When you sit and think about your team, 

ask yourself these questions.

Do each of your members know where they are headed?

Do they interact with one another appropriately and share their stories along the way?

Does your team feel they are connected to achieve results that are for a good cause?

If you answered no to any of these, perhaps it’s time to

 take a step back to think about the leadership style at your business 

and how you can improve it for the greater good of your team.

The Lions Christmas Cake and Pudding program 

has been a major fund raising project of Lions Australia 

since 1965 and raised more than $56mill. 

All profit from this project are donated back into the community on great causes including:

 Blindness Prevention and Vision improvement projects, Medical Research, Children’s Mobility Foundation, Eye Health Program, Hearing Dogs, Disaster Relief, Aged Care, Drug Awareness, Youth Programs.

You may rest assured that should you purchase a 

product from this program the proceeds generated 

will be put to good use in the community.

Contact Lin

✆      0408 500 788

✉      calver@iinet.net.au

Contact Johnson

✆      0424 409 427

✉      werribee@minutemanpress.com