Components of High Performance Teams

To determine whether teamwork is going to be effective, Patrick Lencioni, author of Overcoming the Five Dysfunctions of a Team. Jossey-Bass., cites it is important to realize that there are five essential principles that team members must be committed to in order to have a true team:

1. Ability to keep their egos in check.
2. Individuals are capable of admitting to mistakes, limitations, and insufficient knowledge.
3. They are able to speak up openly when there is disagreement.
4. Behavioral problems can be confronted directly and respectfully.
5. Members can put the success of the team above their individual success.

If any of these principles cannot be committed to and enacted within a team, then the group should recognize that they are keeping themselves from achieving great work.

A true team will find it easy to follow these principles. To be a true team, the group must have a common goal, strong communication skills, and a great leader who values a participative management style.

About the author:
Diane Allen, PCC is a professional certified coach, leadership development consultant and founder of the Strategic Leadership Academy (www.strategicleadershipacademy.com). She has spent the past twelve years helping senior leaders and middle managers build success by building their personal and organizational leadership skills. For a complimentary Tip Sheet on the 12 Cs of Successful Teams, please send an email to: info@strategicleadershipacademy.com and put “12 Cs of Teams” in the subject line.