Six Key Factors In Successful Teams
We all know that teams have the potential to achieve great things for organisations. At the same time, this is by no means guaranteed. So what are the six key factors in any successful team?
Factor 1: Skills
If a team is to succeed, it needs to have the right skills, qualities and attributes. In many ways, a team is like the perfect cake. It requires the skills, qualities and attributes to be effectively brought together to deliver the perfect result.
Factor 2: High levels of trust
A team without trust will never achieve anything. At the same time, it is important to recognise that having high levels of trust does not happen overnight. In my experience, one of the easiest ways of creating trust is to let each other know that you can be counted on by delivering consistently on what you have agreed to do.
Factor 3: Mutual accountability
When individuals on teams need to account to each other for what they have done to progress what they agreed to do, things happen much quicker. In truth, most of us, once we have committed to something, are more likely to do it if we know we are going to have to report back to the team.
Factor 4: A results focus
At the end of the day, a team exists to deliver results and it is key to keep the focus of the team on the end result. It is easy, especially when the going gets tough, to lose sight of the results and get lost in activities that distract.
Factor 5: Optimism
When a team is faced with a challenge, it is easy to fall into a downward spiral. Successful teams on the other hand will generally be optimistic and recognise that, even if the way forward is not immediately obvious, there is a way forward at the end of the day.
Factor 6: Proactive
Successful teams make things happen and don’t sit back waiting for others to do something before they get started. They grab the bull by the horns and start to make things happen.
The Bottom Line: While all of the above factors really matter, I have also noticed that you need to underpin them with appropriate rewards and a culture that recognises and values team working.
Duncan Brodie helps accountants and business professionals to become highly effective leaders and achieve more success in their careers. Sign up for his free audio e-course
About the Author Duncan Brodie
Since 2006 I’ve worked with in excess of 8,000 accountants and professionals in workshops, seminars and one to one helping them land their next jobs and become better leaders, presenters and business partners. Before that I spent 25 years in accountancy climbing the career ladder from Payments Clerk to FD. I’m a CIMA Fellow, Certified Professional Coach and Team Coach Facilitator.