A good team is a cohesive group of people who work well together. Usually, good teams share mutual respect, trust and a similar level of ambition to complete tasks well. More often than not, a good team has a compassionate team leader, who offers support when it’s needed.
It goes without saying that thriving teams can transform your organisation for the better. However, it’s important not to take them for granted. Show them your appreciation, by investing in their wellbeing and recognising the effort they put into their work. Taking these actions will keep them performing at the highest level.
The secret to growing a great team is understanding what makes them tick. At first glance, good and great teams look very similar. However, there are several key characteristics that are more common in great teams, they include:
Of course, there is nothing wrong with having a good team. In fact, these characteristics are present in good teams, they just occur less frequently. For example, a good team expects projects to change, however, they may not adapt as quickly as a great team.
Taking the time to develop your good team into a great team is well worth the effort. In comparison, great teams are more productive and are capable of taking on more challenging tasks. Not only that, but employees in great teams also tend to be happier, which contributes to a strong and healthy company culture.
A thriving team typically has all or a combination of the following qualities:
Team members who appreciate their colleagues' previous experience tend to be more empathetic and want to get the best out of everyone. If there are any disputes, they approach each situation with care and are highly skilled at conflict resolution. They know that team dynamics aren’t always perfect, what matters most to them is sharing their team’s success and giving credit where it’s due.
The best teams include a range of people from different backgrounds with individual talents. Putting people with different experiences together encourages them to learn more about each other, so they develop a closer bond. When people feel connected, they tend to pay greater attention to their team members’ ideas, which increases collaboration. All of these factors create a safe space for your employees, where they can produce their best work.
In high-pressure environments people often forget how to be patient — we’re all guilty of it, especially when a project has taken an unexpected turn. An effective team, however, understands that things don’t always run smoothly. They keep their cool despite having to make drastic changes. During these stressful periods, it’s important to put effort into maintaining effective communication, and always make the time to be clear, open, and honest.
All good teams know what the purpose of their work is, and everyone has a clear understanding of their responsibilities within a project. Without a purpose, teams are left rudderless and may waste time working on tasks that don’t best match their skill set. Team structure and project specifications can change — and it’s perfectly normal when they do. However, you should always try to keep your teams updated as best as you can.
When delegating, tasks make sure they’re completed by the people with the relevant experience. Examples include hiring a copywriter to oversee your comms, or employing a specific UX designer to build an app. Ideally, your team should consist of individuals who have unique skills and talents. Naturally, some of these skills may overlap but as time goes on you’ll have a better idea of who excels at what.
Every great team has a supportive leader at the helm. Effective team leaders actively listen to their colleague's concerns and give them what they need to develop. They’re also highly trusting and act swiftly with confidence. While their team’s success is important to them, they know it shouldn't come at a cost to wellbeing.
High-performing teams prioritise jobs and value routine. It’s not unusual for them to block out time for deep work and other demanding tasks. While they’re not perfect and may leave some work to the last minute, important projects are given the time they need to be completed to a high standard. They’re also not shy and ask for help when they need it.
A successful team knows when to take breaks and have fun. They understand that all work and no play harms productivity and can even increase the risk of burnout. A good team leader also makes an effort with their remote colleagues too.
People who don’t work in the office could miss out on fun team bonding games, which reduces engagement with your business. If you have a hybrid working model, virtual team-building activities are great for bringing in-office and remote colleagues together, which keeps your culture alive.
Like a good team, no bad team is the same. One bad team, for example, may indulge in toxic behaviour and constantly berate their peers. Alternatively, another may consistently miss targets. The second example could be easier to fix, as usually additional training or a mentor is all that’s needed. Unfortunately, if some employees are not showing others respect, this may require intervention from HR and a deeper investigation into any other cultural issues.
Building a high-performing team is challenging. Firstly, you must put aside time and financial resources to give them the support they need to grow. Secondly, you need to keep them healthy and happy so that they don't burn out.
Unsurprisingly, mental wellbeing is one of the highest priorities for employees.1 For this reason, Perkbox includes an ever-expanding library of content from wellbeing industry experts. Your teams can choose from on-demand workout videos, guided meditations, slow-paced yoga flows, and lots more.
High-performing teams report feeling happier and more engaged when their peers respect them. Additionally, retention rates also sharply increase when recognition is taken seriously.2 So you don’t lose the talented teams you’ve invested in.
With our platform your employees can recognise each other on the go — no matter where they are in the world, which is a huge benefit for international organisations. All they have to do is open our app, find their colleague, and leave recognition.
Managers can also use the app to send Reward points, which can be saved or redeemed right away on over 8,500 rewards — including gift cards for global brands, dining out, and more.
Behind every high-performing business is a strong team, and a display of mutual respect is one of the most important qualities a tight-knit team possesses. In fact, respect should be what every good leader encourages if they want a healthy culture.
Successful teams also need resources, so think about the programs and tools each team member uses to access benefits and perks. Usually, organisations find all-in-one employee solutions such as Perkbox very cost-effective as they include features that address employee recognition, wellbeing, and culture in one platform.
The top qualities that make your team successful include mutual trust, diversity, and patience. Developing strategies that focus on cementing these qualities within your company culture make all the difference to employee wellbeing. When employees treat each other with respect it creates a safe working environment where everyone feels valued.
Celebrate and motivate your employees no matter where they’re working — in one building, remotely or across multiple locations.
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