5 Key Traits of a Good Team

Steve jobs really hit the nail on the head when he said, “Great things in business are never done by one person. They’re done by a team of people.” Every success or failure is attributable to the teams in an organization. A critical competency for any business especially small-to-midsize is the ability to build high-performing teams. And it is not just limited to professional expertise. This makes one wonder how does one identifies all the much-needed pre-requisites to building a phenomenal team. Today we reveal exactly this. So go on and pick up a few tips or tricks that will prove useful when you strive to build your all-star team.

1. Communication

Effective communication is the cornerstone of a high-performing team. A thriving team communicates in a way that is open and honest, sharing their thoughts and ideas with no biases in mind. They consciously cultivate meritocracy, ensuring no one is above anyone else which allows everyone to feel as though they can contribute freely. Creating this sort of culture is one of the fundamental foundations of a successful team. 9/10 problems that crop up in a team can be traced back to issues with communication. Poor communication leads to crossed wires that lead to inefficiencies in performance and even conflict! Effective communication is imperative.

2. Trust and Respect

All great teams rely upon a high degree of trust. When one is aware that the colleagues are reliable and competent, one can trust them to work independently toward the team goal. Teams are most effective when there is mutual respect between members. And this is where leadership plays a huge role. It is leaders who help ingrain a culture of trust and respect. For example, leaders should encourage language that supports collaboration and dialogue between team members, and even across the organization.

3. Leadership

A good leader is an essential component of a successful team. They are the ones that the team trusts and respects. The best teams are directed by a leader who is open to feedback and criticism, and who can communicate the team’s vision and the organization’s vision. They foster employee engagement and development. They are even willing to share leadership — deferring to other members of the team and using collaborative practices when they are necessary.

4. Goal-Oriented

The reason for the existence of any team is to get tasks involving intersectional skills done. Teams that hyper-focus on delivering those tasks in the best way possible end up being the winners. They agree on and set team goals based on outcomes and results, rather than just on the amount of work being done. A clear path can then be set about how they are going to achieve these objectives, as a group, as well as each individual’s contribution.

5. Diverse

If you have been reading very attentively, you would notice us laying the hints for the next point to come in the prior one. Right above, we mentioned intersectional skills. These are a byproduct of DIVERSITY. The best teams out there value diversity and hence cultivate it consciously. Each team member is valued for their unique talents and skills. Collectively, a diverse skill set, way of thinking, experiences, and problem-solving help to create an effective team and enhance results.

If one ensures the above 5 traits, one can ensure a high result yielding team. So look out for people whom you know to possess such traits beyond just professional expertise.

Hope this was helpful. Do let me know in the comments below if this sparked some new thoughts on team building also share anything else that you feel you uniquely look for to build an iconic team.

Also, please feel free to contact my team at +91–8882132258 or drop a mail at connect@dranshuldhingra.com for the expertise of a skilled professional in helping you understand the ins and outs of all things teamwork with simple yet powerful mental models, For more such insights, follow me on Linkedin / Facebook/ Instagram/ Youtube