+61 414 773 988
June – Newsletter
Building High-Performing Teams
Unlocking the true potential of collaboration
As most of you know, I come from a sporty family and my kids, as a result, are sporty. Healthy mind, healthy body, efficient, effective, common interests, like minded friends at school, in the community and on the sidelines. I am a massive fan of sport – playing, watching, volunteering and encouraging. I spend most of my weekends at cricket, hockey, rugby and touch games and still play a bit of tennis and golf myself when I find the time.
This month has been rep hockey season so the M’uber has been, not only all over Sydney for training and games, but to Grafton and Canberra for State Champs and carnivals as well. So on the sidelines while cheering, chatting and organising, I have spent much of this month thinking about teams – sporting teams, family teams, corporate teams and most importantly, how to get the most out of your team!
What is a High-Performing Team?
A high-performing team isn’t just a group of talented individuals. It’s a cohesive unit that consistently delivers exceptional results, adapts quickly to change, and thrives in complex environments. These teams are defined not just by what they achieve, but how they work together to achieve it.
High-performing teams are
- Aligned around a clear purpose
- Built on mutual trust and accountability
- Resilient in the face of challenges
- Continuously improving and learning
They don’t settle for average—they aim for excellence.
Key characteristics of high-performing teams
- Shared goals and values
- Clear roles and responsibilities
- Effective communications
- Mutual accountability
- Team dynamics and psychological safety
- Strong leadership and support
- Equity, diversion and inclusion
- Continuous learning
Benefits of having high-performing teams
- Enhanced productivity and efficiency
- Positive workplace culture
- Autonomy and empowerment
How to build a high-performing team
- Strategic implementation
- Clearly defining team’s purpose and goals: shared vision, alignment of efforts to common objective
- Effective leadership: culture of trust and open communication and collaboration
- Goal setting
- Team building
- Teamwork training
- Debriefing sessions, performance reviews and feedback mechanisms
Behaviours That Need to Change
Transforming into a high-performing team often requires shifting individual and collective behaviour. Some key mindset and behaviour changes required include:
- From “Me” to “We”: Prioritize team success over individual recognition.
- From Avoiding Conflict to Embracing Healthy Debate: Disagreement can drive innovation—when handled respectfully.
- From Fixed Mindset to Growth Mindset: View mistakes as learning opportunities rather than failures.
- From Passive Participation to Proactive Contribution: Everyone takes ownership, speaks up, and drives outcomes.
- From Blame to Accountability: Focus on solutions, not finger-pointing.
Leadership Tip Of The Month
High-performing teams don’t just happen—they’re built through intentional culture, strong leadership, and everyday habits. Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to elevate your current team, focus on the foundations: clarity, trust, and a shared commitment to excellence.
Start Twalking: What’s one small change your team can make this week to raise its performance?
I’d love to know what you’re thinking regarding your team and team’s dynamics. Drop me a DM and let’s Twalk some more…
Til then I hope to see you out Twalking, if not with me, then with your team!
© 2019