Checklist for High Performing Teams

Why do some teams perform well while others struggle? How do you assess how effectively your team is working today, and identify methods for improvement?

Research indicates that 85% of the reasons that groups of individuals succeed or struggle has more to do with social issues, than technical proficiency. But both are required for effective teamwork.

Below please find a checklist you can use to identify the strengths and development needs of your team:

Clear Goals

It's very tough to get there in case you don't know where you are going! And it's very tough to accomplish your goals if you have not made them clear. Make sure that there's no question about your team's purpose, function and objective.

Clear Roles and Responsibilities.

It is important that roles and responsibilities are clearly defined in order for individuals to be accountable for accomplishing their portion of the group's tasks. Misunderstandings and conflicts often occur when roles and expectations aren't clearly defined.

Information Sharing.

For the staff to make the best decisions, each team member has to be supplied with relevant information. High performing teams do not guard information... they discuss it freely.

Competent Team Members

Competent team members will need to be set in the ideal position. Occasionally, an extremely talented person can be ill placed which can throw off the group working. Consider both the competency and placement of each individual team member.

Values Diversity

We do not all work the exact same way, or have the exact styles. This can be an integral resource for interpersonal conflict. But when teams learn how to value one another's differences that they can leverage each other's strengths. Team building exercises can help people to appreciate diversity and work together more efficiently.

Creative Problem Solving

When you value diversity of opinion, your staff could be more adept at solving problems. How efficiently a team can create new solutions, and concentrate on the end goal, will largely determine their success.

Flexibility

High performing teams assess their progress periodically and adjust their path when required. This is an important element for allowing them to become adept at meeting the goals of the team.

Effective Conflict Resolution

How teams solve their conflicts can make or break them. Effective conflict resolution skills that are focused on the job at hand, not the people, helps teams move forward and redirect their attention toward positive outcomes.

Effective Time Management

How teams structure their meetings, and meet their deadlines, reflects their efficacy. Teams that manage their meetings well promote higher performance and the higher likelihood of attaining their aims.

Good morale.

Low turnover and longevity is a standard of good morale. A team that successfully respects the individual and the staff has the best likelihood of success.