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What do the Argentine football team and a surgical team have in common? It's not just about having skilled players or doctors, but about how they work together as a team.
In the startup world, knowing what makes these teams succeed can be a game-changer. It's not just about hiring the best people, but about finding those who can collaborate, communicate, and play a specific part effectively.
This blog post explores what truly makes a high-performance team and how to adapt your hiring strategy to attract and put together the best talent.
So, what defines a high-performance team?
What characterizes a high-performing team? At ambi, we like to say it's a closely-knit group of skilled individuals, each with defined roles, sharp skills, and deep expertise. They work together smoothly, constantly coming up with new ideas and consistently delivering top-notch results.
We gave you the concept, but to hire a high-performance team, you must understand its key characteristics:
1. Everyone has the same goal
In a high-performance team, every team member has the same purpose. That gives the team a sense of belonging to a group that has to work together to deliver top results. Each member plays a relevant part in achieving the team’s objectives and feels valued and productive.
When hiring, think about how your strategy brings each individual in your team in synchrony and what position you truly need to reach your definition of success.
2. The Importance of Trust
In any group, trust is what sets the top performers apart from the average ones. It's like the solid ground beneath their feet, giving them the confidence to push boundaries and achieve their best. When there's trust, teams can face challenges head-on, knowing they've got each other's backs.
When you're hiring, prioritize candidates who not only have the skills but also demonstrate trustworthiness—it's the foundation for a strong team.
3. Effective Communication
After trust, communication stands out as another critical factor in team success. The best teams have a knack for keeping communication smooth and efficient. They've figured out the right channels for different situations—whether it's a quick call, an email, a message on Slack, or a Zoom meeting (and when not to overload with Zoom). Even in an office setup, they know when to chat face-to-face. Plus, they leverage technology like project management tools or Google Docs to stay organized and track progress. When hiring, look for candidates who possess strong technical skills and excel in clear communication—it's the backbone of effective teamwork.
4. Clear job descriptions and career paths
Clear job descriptions and well-defined career paths are crucial for successful hiring and team development. When roles and responsibilities are clearly outlined, it ensures that everyone knows what they need to do, reducing confusion and potential conflicts. This clarity enables teams to collaborate smoothly, contributing to overall productivity and morale. High-performing teams thrive on such clarity, where each member understands their role and contributes to the collective success.
At ambi, we team up with clients to clarify job roles and career paths right from the start, giving hiring a solid beginning. By ensuring job descriptions match team goals and individual skills, we bring clarity and set clear expectations. With Ambi's support, clients approach hiring confidently, knowing roles are clear and career paths are set for success.
Pre-register here to elevate your hiring: https://bit.ly/3SN9eBf
5. Strong Leadership
Great teams are guided by leaders who set clear standards and goals, ensuring everyone knows what they're working towards. They cultivate trust among team members and inspire commitment and confidence, all while encouraging continuous growth.
High-performance leaders regularly assess team performance and use data and analysis to make informed decisions. They use this data to refine strategies and enhance productivity. In addition to being role models, top-notch leaders actively address any obstacles to team success and celebrate the achievements of team members without seeking personal credit.
When hiring, prioritize candidates who not only have hard skills but also demonstrate strong leadership qualities.
6. Clear Team Guidelines
A successful team operates by a set of clear rules and standards to guide and enhance their performance. These rules cover various aspects such as communication, respect, resolving conflicts peacefully, and conducting regular performance evaluations.
Team members openly discuss, agree upon, and adhere to these norms and standards to ensure smooth functioning.
Before hiring, ask yourself if your team is well structured or if you need to hire a great leader to build successful guidelines.
7. What Gets Us Going
Money and other rewards, along with things like feeling valued, really push us to do our best and help the company meet its goals. Making sure pay is clear, cutting out biases when hiring or promoting, setting up pay based on performance, and offering programs that meet what employees want can make a big difference. Plus, putting resources into these areas keeps employees engaged and sticking around and builds a positive workplace vibe.
A report on Global Talent Trends in 2020 showed that companies that focused on good pay and benefits had a whopping 56% less turnover.
Similarly, a 2023 report on People Strategy found that 67% of employees are keen on knowing how much others are paid. But many companies still haven’t taken this step.
However, making things like pay clear and promoting diversity and inclusion are key. They make everyone feel like they belong and have a chance to move up in the company.
In conclusion, building a high-performance team requires more than just assembling a group of talented individuals—it demands creating a culture of trust, effective communication, clear guidelines, and strong leadership. At ambi, we specialize in partnering with founders and hiring managers from startups and scaleups to build teams that excel. By prioritizing traits like trustworthiness, communication skills, and leadership qualities in candidates, we ensure that each member plays a vital role in achieving shared objectives.
If you're ready to elevate your hiring and build a team that delivers top-notch results for your startup, pre-register here: https://bit.ly/3SN9eBf