What makes a good team?
Why do some teams perform effortlessly while others tread water? pme Academy Director Darina Doubravova explains why looking at the big picture is crucial. Discover the four most important levers and practical tips for immediate cohesion and success.
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What does a systemic approach mean for teams?
Does this sound familiar? A team full of talented, committed professionals, but the results are lacking. The atmosphere is tense, projects come to nothing. It's tempting to look for the cause in individual people, but that's usually not enough. A recent McKinsey study debunks the myth that talent alone is enough. The real cause rarely lies with individual members. It lies in the system. Darina Doubravova, head of the pme Academy, guides you through the key factors that turn a group of lone wolves into a real dream team.
"A team made up of 'superstars' isn't inherently a great team—in fact, it can lead to poorer performance."McKinsey, When teams get healthier, the whole organization benefits
The first and most important step toward improvement is a shift in perspective. Teams should not be viewed as isolated islands, but rather as part of a dynamic organizational ecosystem. “Neither individual team members nor teams can be viewed in isolation. They are always part of a complex ecosystem in constant interaction with other teams and the dynamics of the entire organization,” explains Darina Doubravova, Director of the pme Academy.
This holistic perspective is crucial for truly understanding and sustainably improving collaboration within the company.
That is why she recommends that every team make a conscious effort to engage with other teams and ask open-ended questions such as: “What are your actual expectations of us? How do you perceive our tasks and contributions?” Throughthis dialogue, both sides can reveal, align, and, if necessary, adjust their perspectives—a process that, as a genuine shift in perspective, fosters mutual understanding. Only when a team recognizes and actively shapes this systemic context can it realize its full potential and truly contribute effectively to overall success.
"I've noticed in many companies that departments often complain about a lack of appreciation from others. But it's always worth taking a self-critical look: How do I actually view the work of other teams?" says Darina Doubravova. "When teams look beyond their own horizons and take the broader context into account, the result is not only greater appreciation but also better collaboration."
"This is how a good working relationship becomes a true factor in the company's success."Appreciation is not a one-way street; rather, it arises only through mutual exchange and understanding.
Five Key Factors for Successful Team Performance
Research shows that a team’s success is no accident, but rather stems from specific, learnable behaviors. Studies demonstrate that it is not random factors or the team’s composition alone that make a team successful, but rather principles that are consciously applied in day-to-day work.
"Our research shows that four drivers in particular have the greatest impact: trust, communication, innovative thinking, and decision-making."McKinsey, When teams get healthier, the whole organization benefits
1. Trust & Psychological Safety: The Foundation
Without trust, nothing works. It is the foundation that allows team members to take risks, speak their minds openly, and admit to mistakes. Only in an environment where trust prevails can employees freely express their ideas, ask questions, and even voice uncertainties or doubts without fear of negative consequences. This creates an environment where collaborative learning and continuous improvement become possible.
Recent studies show that teams with a high culture of trust are significantly more productive. According to a study by the consulting firm McKinsey, such teams areup to 3.3 times more productive than teams with lower levels of trust. They achieve better results, make decisions faster, and deal with challenges more creatively. In addition, sick leave and staff turnover decrease because employees feel heard and valued. In short: Trust is the breeding ground for innovation, collaboration, and sustainable success in every team.
Practical tips for immediate implementation:
- Personal check-ins: Start team meetings with a brief round of personal updates. This creates an open atmosphere where everyone feels like part of the team and trust can grow.
- Mistakes as learning opportunities:Foster a culture where mistakes are openly discussed and reflected upon together. This strengthens mutual trust and enables innovative teamwork.
- Demonstrate reliability:Consistently followthrough on agreements and proactively keep your team informed about changes or challenges. This demonstrates reliability and helps build a strong relationship of trust.
Our research found that teams that scored above average on trust were 3.3 times more efficient and 5.1 times more likely to deliver results than teams with below-average trust.
McKinsey, When teams get healthier, the whole organization benefits
2. Open communication & feedback: The driving force
Clear, open, and appreciative communication is the engine that drives the team forward and resolves conflicts before they escalate. Only when all team members know how to talk to each other and give feedback can a trusting atmosphere and productive collaboration develop.
Practical tips for immediate implementation:
- Establish rules for communication: Work with your team to establish binding rules for communication. For example, determine which communication tool (e.g., email, chat, face-to-face conversations) is used in which situation and who needs to be informed about important issues. This will help you avoid misunderstandings and ensure clarity.
- Introduce feedback routines: Establish regular feedback rounds, for example, using the simple and effective 5-finger feedback method.This gives all team members the opportunity to express praise and suggestions for improvement in a constructive manner and to continuously work on their collaboration.
- Active listening:Practice genuine, appreciative listening. Show your conversation partner that you really want to understand what they mean by asking questions and repeating what they say. This promotes mutual respect and facilitates communication within the team.
Work on your attitude toward feedback: Constructive feedback is a gift and opens up opportunities for improvement.
Darina Doubravova, Director of the pme Academy
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To the data protection settings "3. Innovative thinking & diversity: The fuel
Teams that are open to new ideas and value different perspectives are demonstrably more creative, flexible, and better prepared for change. Diversity brings fresh approaches to solutions, promotes innovation, and increases competitiveness. It is crucial that every team member can contribute their strengths and experiences.
Practical tips for immediate implementation:
- Create space for creativity: Block out regular times in your calendar for joint brainstorming sessions. Encourage your team to openly express all their ideas during these sessions—without immediate evaluation or criticism. This will give rise to new approaches and creative solutions.
- Consciously leverage diversity:Encourage exchange between team members with different professional and personal backgrounds. Specifically ask for different perspectives and show appreciation for different opinions. This will allow you to benefit from the entire wealth of experience your team has to offer.
- Encourage experimentation: Create a team culture where trying new things and “making mistakes” are actively encouraged. Encourage your employees to launch small experiments or pilot projects. Celebrate learning progress together—regardless of whether the experiment was immediately successful.
4. Clear decision-making: The steering wheel
Unclear decision-making processes quickly lead to frustration and paralyze collaboration. Efficient teams, on the other hand, know exactly who makes decisions in which situations and how. This means that decisions are made quickly, everyone involved pulls together, and the team remains capable of acting.
Practical tips for immediate implementation:
- Clarify roles: Create clarity within the team by jointly determining who is responsible for which decisions, who provides advice, who makes suggestions, and who ultimately implements them. This transparency provides orientation and increases efficiency.
- Quality over perfection: Make decisions quickly. Encourage the team to make decisions quickly based on the information available, rather than endlessly searching for the perfect solution. A pragmatic approach saves time and allows for immediate action.
- Learn from mistakes: Take time regularly to reflect on decisions—especially when the desired result is not achieved. Analyze the causes together without assigning blame. This way, everyone benefits from shared experience and knowledge and continues to develop as a team.
"It's not just about defining clear roles within the team, but also about considering the expectations placed on individual team members from outside the team. The issue of 'breaking down silos' is also becoming increasingly important.
Darina Doubravova, Director of the pme Academy"
5. Sustainability and the outside perspective
Self-reflection is good, but looking inward is often not enough. Teams quickly develop blind spots when it comes to their own weaknesses. Leaders often view the situation more positively than the rest of the team. An outside perspective can be crucial for identifying the real areas that need improvement.
External team development is particularly useful when a new team is forming, major changes are on the horizon, or conflicts are hindering collaboration. An external coach can help identify entrenched patterns and show the team new ways forward.
Teams are often unaware of their most significant gaps and may share blind spots, leading them to prioritize the wrong things.
McKinsey, When teams get healthier, the whole organization benefits
Conclusion
A high-performing team is the result of a continuous process that begins with understanding the big picture. By recognizing their role in the organizational ecosystem and actively working on the pillars of trust, communication, innovation, and decision-making, teams lay the foundation for sustainable success.
FAQ: Improving team performance
What makes a good team?
Successful teams are characterized by mutual trust, open communication, diverse perspectives, and clear decision-making. Shared goals, respectful interactions, and a constructive approach to handling mistakes are further keys to success.
How can trust be built within a team?
Trust is built through transparent communication, reliability, and an open culture of accountability. Regular one-on-one conversations, genuine appreciation, and keeping one’s promises foster mutual trust within the team.
What promotes effective communication within a team?
Clear communication, active listening, and respectful interaction are essential. Feedback should be provided regularly and constructively. Shared guidelines for using communication channels help prevent misunderstandings.
What is meant by a systemic approach?
The systemic approach views teams as part of a larger organizational system. It focuses on the relationships and interactions among team members. The goal is to identify patterns in how they interact with one another and thereby foster respectful, solution-oriented collaboration.
What can help resolve conflicts within a team?
Conflicts should be addressed early on. Open, respectful discussions and neutral facilitation help in finding solutions. It is important to view conflicts as an opportunity for growth rather than assigning blame.
When should external team development be used?
External team development is recommended in cases of recurring conflicts, major changes within the team, or when the goal is to improve collaboration over the long term. An impartial outside perspective can help break through entrenched patterns.