Harness High Performers: Building a High-Performing Team
In the ever-evolving landscape of small to mid-sized services firms, one factor stands out as the linchpin of success: building a truly high-performing team. As a fellow owner, I personally understand that the most critical component of building a great team is harnessing the potential of our talented individuals and fostering a culture of trust that propels our organizations to new heights. I want to share some ideas on the significance of trust in team dynamics, explore strategies for creating a culture of trust, and gain insights on developing elite Trusted Advisors.
Understanding the Importance of Trust:
Trust is the lifeblood of any successful team, relationship, or partnership. It permeates every aspect of team communication, collaboration, and client relationship growth. Without trust, team performance falters and overall business growth becomes an uphill battle. Trust is the invisible force that holds us together and enables us to achieve remarkable things.
You may be familiar with Google’s Project Aristotle, a research effort that set out to identify the key factors that contribute to effective team performance. One anecdote that emerged from the study involved a team where trust was lacking. Despite having talented individuals with impressive credentials, the team struggled to collaborate effectively and generate innovative ideas. Members were hesitant to express their opinions or take risks, fearing judgment or negative repercussions.
On the other hand, a team with a strong foundation of trust exhibited remarkable productivity and success. These teams fostered an environment where individuals felt comfortable sharing ideas, challenging the status quo, and making mistakes without fear of retribution.
Creating a Culture of Trust:
To cultivate trust within your team, start by establishing clear values and expectations. These form the bedrock of your team's identity, creating a safe and supportive environment where individuals can thrive. Open and transparent communication channels become the arteries through which trust flows, fostering collaboration and mutual support. Remember, psychological safety is the secret sauce that Google and others found that fuels innovation and risk-taking. It starts with you, as trusted leaders inspire trust in others. There are a number of ways to cultivate trust. I have had success with two of those tactics: regular feedback & follow through. Never underestimate the power of clarity and your unique voice when it comes to vision and the expectations you have for the team. Embrace the practice of sharing how employees are progressing in their performance, always with a mix of positivity and constructive guidance when things are just not right.
And secondly, we must follow through on our commitments. It's about walking the talk, ensuring our actions align seamlessly with our words. After all, our employees rely on us to be reliable leaders who uphold their promises. When we consistently deliver on our commitments, we foster a sense of trust that forms the bedrock of any successful organization.
Developing Elite Trusted Advisors:
Trusted Advisor is a concept best articulated by David Maister, "A trusted advisor is someone who consistently demonstrates exceptional expertise, integrity, and commitment to their clients. They go beyond providing transactional services and become valued partners who deeply understand their clients' needs and actively contribute to their success. Trusted advisors build long-term relationships based on trust, credibility, and mutual respect, serving as reliable guides and sounding boards for their clients' most critical decisions."
They are invaluable assets within high-performing teams and growing firms. In my work at a global PR firm I trained teams on becoming trusted advisors. A key first step is attracting high-performing individuals who embody trustworthiness. Setting up smart hiring screens and your own gut are the best tools to evaluate BS and bold thinkers. However, the journey doesn't stop there. Ongoing training and professional development are essential to enhance your team's expertise and skill sets in becoming a trusted advisor. By empowering your team to develop into trusted advisors that take ownership and make decisions, you unlock a reservoir of untapped capabilities. I firmly believe that these are teachable skills. As you seek to teach and build skills ask yourself - can this person think beyond the task and focus on what’s happening in the broader environment? So much more here we will cover in subsequent posts.
Tracking and Measuring Trust:
Trust is not a nebulous concept but rather a tangible element that can be measured. By developing metrics and tools to assess trust levels within the team, we gain valuable insights into the health of our team dynamics. Collecting feedback from team members serves as a vital source of information, offering a deeper understanding of their perceptions and experiences. Armed with this data, we can make informed decisions and implement targeted interventions to bolster trust. I have had success with team assessment and tools to evaluate thinking and behavioral style such as ProfileXT.
Conclusion:
In the journey of building a high-performing team, trust becomes the guiding principle that underpins every interaction. It has a profound impact on team dynamics, client satisfaction, and overall business growth. By creating a culture of trust, nurturing elite Trusted Advisors, and embodying effective leadership practices, we unleash the potential of our high performers and elevate our team's performance. Continuously tracking and measuring trust ensures that our team thrives in a dynamic and ever-changing environment. Together, we can create teams that defy expectations and achieve extraordinary result
Additional Anecdote:
In a study conducted by the Harvard Business Review, researchers examined the impact of trust within teams and its correlation with performance. The study focused on a software development company that was struggling with low productivity and high turnover rates. The team lacked cohesion, and there was a noticeable lack of trust among team members.
To address this issue, the company implemented trust-building initiatives, including team-building exercises, open communication channels, and collaborative projects. Over time, as trust began to flourish, the team experienced a significant transformation.
One anecdote that stands out from the study is the story of two team members, Sarah and John, who had been working on a critical project together. At the beginning of the project, there was little trust between them, resulting in a lack of collaboration and communication. However, as the team-building initiatives took effect, Sarah and John started to build a foundation of trust.
As they began trusting each other's capabilities and intentions, they started sharing ideas more freely, collaborating closely, and supporting one another through challenges. Their newfound trust allowed them to bounce ideas off each other, provide constructive feedback, and leverage each other's strengths. This ultimately led to a breakthrough in the project, with the team delivering outstanding results within the agreed timeline.
This anecdote vividly illustrates the transformative power of trust within a team. When trust is present, individuals feel empowered to be vulnerable, take risks, and support one another. It fosters a collaborative and innovative environment, driving team performance and ultimately impacting the organization's overall success.
Reference:
Edmondson, A. (2014). Building a Psychologically Safe Workplace. Harvard Business Review. Retrieved from: https://hbr.org/2014/01/building-a-psychologically-safe-workplace
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