High Performance Teams: Part II

Previously we discussed the four stages of team development; forming, storming, norming and performing. As I thought about the last stage, I wondered how do teams become high performing? How do they run like a well-oiled machine?

One of my favorite business books is the Five Dysfunctions of a Team. It answers the question as to how a team becomes high performing. Patrick Lencioni examines what causes dysfunctional teams. He lists five as follows:

Absence of trust

Fear of conflict

Lack of commitment

Avoidance of accountability

Inattention to results

Trust is the foundation of a high performing team. If trust can be developed, it will pave the way for greater conflict resolution, team commitment, accountability and results. Trust is the foundation of all successful relationships. Trust involves vulnerability.

How do we develop trust? Hyley Bracey in his book, Building Trust; How to Get It! How to Keep it! provides insight. His five step model utilizes the acronym TRUST:

T means be transparent

R means be responsive

U means use caring

S means be sincere

T means be trustworthy

Although this is one model, what has worked for you in building trust to create high performing teams?