High performing teams can feel like magic. The right chemistry is key to creating that magic but what other components make up high performing teams? In my opinion, the answer is trust, expertise, and leadership. The team needs to trust each other, people need to be experts in their roles, and leaders need to help inspire action and foster innovation. When this happens, high performing teams can hit goals and innovate but how do you know you are onto something if the time horizon of the goal is further out? I have some thoughts and tips on what to look for. I will share one today and one tomorrow in a brief two part series both of which are about meetings.
Under the hood of trust, expertise, and great leadership, are tactical habits knowledge workers or leaders do to foster high performing characteristics of trust and expertise.
Meetings get a bad rap. I am not a fan of meetings myself but I’ve learned it is really just the bad meetings I don’t like. A good meeting with a lively discussion is fun and effective.
One thing I’ve noticed about a good meeting in a high performing team is this: there is fluidity of transitions between topics. It keeps the energy up and allows participants to understand the connections in the team’s strategic approach. I am not saying silence is bad. Slowing down in a meeting can also be effective for letting information sync in too but if you’re just letting silence happen for the sake of transitioning, I don’t see that as very purposeful.
If you are a leader, I recommend working on meeting flow and topic transitions. Lead the participants through different connecting topics. The way to do this is preparation and flexibility. Prepare the topics and information but be flexible on where you start and go based on the discussion and feedback. It is a true blend of preparation and flexibility. Think of the flexibility like you are sailing in an ocean moving with the current of the wind where the current is the feedback you are getting from others in real time.
Bonus: if you aren’t the meeting leader, you can still practice this. It will help you build leadership skills and trust with the meeting leader.