What makes a good team great? 8 factors for success

What makes a good team great?

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:

• Supportive leadership
• A focus on peer-to-peer recognition
• Prioritising wellbeing
• Practising a culture of respect and active listening
• Pivoting in times of change
• Taking ownership when things go wrong

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.

8 qualities of a successful team

A thriving team typically has all or a combination of the following qualities:

Mutual respect

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.

Diversity

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.

Patience

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.

An understanding of purpose

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. Obviously, 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.

Specialisation

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 their own 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.

Supportive leadership

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.

Good organisation

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.

They have fun

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 can reduce their 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.

Goods teams vs. bad teams

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.

How to build a high-performing team

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 This is why our Wellness hub includes an ever-expanding library of content from wellbeing industry experts. From our app, your teams can choose from on-demand workout videos, guided meditations, slow-paced yoga flows and lots more.

High-performing teams also report feeling happier and more engaged when they’re respected by their peers. Additionally, retention rates also sharply increase when recognition is taken seriously.² That means 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. With Celebration hub, all they have to do is open our app, find their colleague, and leave recognition. Managers can also use the app to send Global Reward points , which can be saved or redeemed right away on gift cards for global brands, dining out and more.

Support your successful teams today

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. 

If you want to find out how Perkbox can help develop your teams, request a demo and a member of our team will get back to you.