In my 30+ years of working with teams across various industries, I’ve identified 11 characteristics that distinguish exceptional teams. Drawing from my experiences as a business coach, entrepreneur, and manager and influenced by numerous books and articles by many wonderful authors, I believe honing these 11 characteristics can elevate any team's success and satisfaction.
Take a moment to score each of the 11 characteristics of KICK-ASS teams on a scale from 0 to 10, with 10 being the highest. Add up the scores and divide by 110 to get a percentage score that reflects your team's overall performance.
- Everyone is a High-Performer in Their Role Every team member excels in their specific role, bringing unique strengths and expertise. Recognizing and nurturing individual talents ensures that everyone contributes at their best.
- Everyone is in Alignment with Values and Purpose Having the right people on the bus means that everyone's personal values and purpose are in alignment with the values and purpose of the business.
- One Big Vision and Shared Goals A well-formed vision aligns the team's shared goals - creating a roadmap that everyone is eager to follow, driving collective progress.
- Diversity of Personalities and Interests Diverse perspectives fuel innovation. Encouraging a mix of personalities and interests fosters creativity and robust problem-solving.
- Trust from Openness and Vulnerability Building trust through openness is vital. Creating a safe space for vulnerability allows team members to share thoughts and concerns comfortably, driving collaboration.
- Conflict-ability Drives Better Results Healthy conflict leads to better outcomes. Facilitating constructive discussions ensures conflicts are resolved positively, driving the team forward.
- Accountabilities and Responsibilities are Clear Clarity in roles and responsibilities prevents confusion. Clear distinctions between accountabilities and responsibilities enhance efficiency and productivity.
- Decisions are Made and Everyone Supports Decisiveness AND unity are key. Ensuring that all team members support the final decision fosters a cohesive and committed team environment.
- Personal Learning and Sharing of Ideas Continuous learning and idea sharing keep the team dynamic. Promoting an environment where knowledge is freely exchanged and personal growth is prioritized.
- Only Wow! is Good Enough from Customers Exceeding customer expectations is a standard. Instilling a culture where delivering 'wow' experiences is the norm, not the exception.
- Leaders Have Strong People Skills and get out of the way to let people do their jobs. Strong leadership is foundational. Developing leadership skills continuously, focusing on empathy, communication, and the ability to inspire and motivate the team, then stepping back to let them shine.
Strengthening a team with these traits can lead to remarkable success and fulfillment. A high-functioning team doesn’t just meet goals—they surpass them, creating a positive and productive environment where everyone thrives.
When teams score low on these traits, confusion, low morale, and missed opportunities may result. Addressing these areas can transform struggles into successes and pave the way for outstanding performance.
Celebrate characteristics with scores of 8 and above, as these are your team's strengths. Identify one low-scoring trait that would be most beneficial to improve and focus on strategies to enhance this area, fostering an even more effective and dynamic team.
When you'd like to talk about how your team can become a kick-ass powerhouse, you can reach me here on LinkedIn, write to me at [email protected] , or contact me via WhatsApp +4915222787217
