A team is only as strong as its weakest link.

A team works as a whole, but it is only as strong as its weakest link, right? As everyone strives to do their part, it might be easy to focus on the performance of one or two individuals rather than the group as a whole. But if you want your team to perform at its peak, you need to look at what's holding your team back as a whole and address it from there. The following are eight ways to help improve the performance of your team.

How to approach teammates with criticism

It's a tough situation to be in, but there will inevitably come a time when you need to confront a teammate about their performance or behavior. Be clear and concise with your criticism and provide specific examples if possible. Consider asking your teammate how they want to address any issues, too. It's essential for them to feel heard and for you both to have some closure on it once you've expressed what you needed.

The first step to resolving issues

Start by recognizing that your team is comprised of both strengths and weaknesses. You needn't worry too much about these weaknesses; they will most likely just seem to disappear on their own. However, you can remove those things holding your business back from reaching peak performance. Even though it might be awkward at first, communicating openly with everyone on your team can positively impact your business if done correctly. If there are issues that can't be solved internally, then look for external resources. Finally, you should set clear goals so that every person on your team has something concrete to strive towards rather than wishful thinking. After all, making any improvement, in general, starts with realizing where room for growth exists.

People are people

We're all flawed, which means no one on your team can be perfect. At least, that's a good thing—it means we have room to grow and improve. The fact that everyone has flaws doesn't mean everyone has equally crippling ones (as any hiring manager will tell you). Recognizing potential problems in specific roles or departments can help you plan for their eventual replacement.

Don't rely on personal relationships

When you build a company, you want to surround yourself with people that are A+ players. Having good relationships and being friendly will help get you there, but it shouldn't be your primary focus. Don't rely on someone who might be great because they know your parents or because they go to church with you.

Identify bad habits early

If you're trying to grow your business, it's a good idea to monitor your employees' performance and identify bad habits early on. This way, you can work with them to improve their skills and productivity before they become significant issues. To help foster a culture of ongoing improvement, conduct regular check-ins with your staff so that they know you care about what they do—and why it matters.

Accept personal responsibility for your shortcomings

You're never going to be perfect. This can be hard to accept, but owning up to your mistakes or shortcomings is often a good first step in improving.

Be professional online, especially if you have an audience.

If you need to be taken seriously, it's essential that you give off a professional image online. Remember, there are people out there who will judge you by your social media presence—so make sure your digital persona doesn't hinder your career success.

Know when you're taking it too far. (Accepting Criticism and Staying Professional)

We all have those days at work when we're just having a bad day. It happens to everyone. But how do you know when your bad day has crossed over into unprofessional territory? There are times when it's fine to vent to your coworkers or your boss, but doing so in a respectful manner that demonstrates professionalism can not only keep your job but improve it.