The high performing team (HPT) always has its eye on the end goal, and works collaboratively to ensure the realization of that goal. Furthermore, a high performing team realizes that time is its most valuable resource. Prioritization is a must in a HPT; they do not waste time and make use of every opportunity.

There are some techniques that aid in the process of building a high performance team. The most important techniques are detailed as follows:

1.  Define a clear picture of the direction your company is going - a vision for the team.

Vision serves as a compass to guide and track team progress. Focusing on the future drives collaboration and cooperation for the team as a single entity. Vision is the place that any company and its team should begin on the road to success, and is the roadmap to self-motivation and purpose for the team. But the vision needs to be clear, unambiguous, and have meaning to each individual. This way, each team member can think about how he or she can be an asset to others and to the team as a well-oiled unit. Having a unified vision can assist with team building and creating a feeling of unity in a high performance team.

2.  Be genuine, even if that means putting your guard down.

The teams that are most effective are those that with individuals who care about each other. They have a genuine interest in each other’s success and fulfillment. Without widespread and genuine teamwork, process streamlining, which requires inter-organizational cooperation, will be difficult.

3. Ask good questions.

A useful skill in building a good question is to listen first. Listening first means you focus on both hearing and understanding what the person is telling you, before you come up with your response.

4. Communicate about everything - even the tough things.

In order to bring your team together, you must be able to talk about everything, even if it is hard for you. Communication is a key to success in a team environment, and improves team building skills. The team leader must be able to give of themselves in order to move the team forward. In other words, a good, communicative leader is unselfish in words and in actions. By doing this, the team will gain trust and will understand that burying problems doesn’t make them go away.

5. Follow through on commitments.

If you promise to do something, do it. If you cannot complete your commitment in the time you quoted, advise the person to whom you made the promise with a specific idea as to when and how you will complete it. Any promises you make you must commit to, and any promises that you break make a negative statement about your reputation and integrity.

6. Let others speak first.

Team members should be encouraged to speak up during presentations in order to see themselves as equals in terms of communication.

7. Listen.

High performance teams use effective listening techniques, such as questioning, paraphrasing, and summarizing to get out ideas.  Most HPTs that do team building exercises tend to think that learning activities, listening, and diversity of ideas among teammates will improve the relationships on the team, which produces more effective results.

8. Face up to non-performing players.

Experienced leaders frequently maintain unity and discipline through third parties in the form of people we call ‘passionate champions.’ Passionate champions are those who have established an understanding and close working relationship with the team leader, and who are totally focused on (and committed to) the team’s objectives. Building a high performance team involves delicate communication and discipline, which can help push the team toward its goals.

9. Have fun, but never at others’ expense.

All members should have fun, but not at the expense of another team member. If they do make fun of someone, it’s usually his or herself.

10. Be confident and dependable.

Dependable leaders are solid citizens. They’re always on time, never make excuses, and stay hot on the job until it’s done. They’re aboard when needed and out of the way when not needed. Duty demands that they often make personal sacrifices. They sense what has to be done and where duty lies.