Leading High-Performing Teams

Your High-Performing Team Checklist

Great teams don’t just happen. Leaders build them.

1. Build Psychological Safety (The #1 Factor!)

• Show Vulnerability: Admit your own mistakes. “I messed up X.”
• Encourage Questions: Never shut down a query. “That’s a great question.”
• Frame Failure as Learning: Don’t blame. “What did we learn?”
• Why: Creates an environment where people feel safe to speak up, take risks, and be themselves.

2. Understand Tuckman’s Stages:

• Forming (New Team):
  • Leader Action: Provide clear goals, roles, and instructions.
• Storming (Conflict):
  • Leader Action: Facilitate open communication, mediate disagreements, reinforce team purpose.
• Norming (Cohesion):
  • Leader Action: Step back, empower the team, establish norms.
• Performing (Excellent!):
  • Leader Action: Delegate, mentor, remove obstacles, celebrate success.

3. Your Role as Leader:

• Adapt your style: What your team needs changes at each stage.
• Listen actively: Understand underlying issues.
• Remove obstacles: Clear the path for your team’s success.

Golden Rule: Focus on how your team works together, not just who is on the team. Culture eats strategy for breakfast.