High-performance teams: a fundamental asset to boost corporate efficiency

Is high performance the same as working under pressure? What do we mean when we say that a company has high-performance teams? Before delving into this work model, it must be clarified that it is not an old or exhausting practice for workers, but rather a way to achieve maximum efficiency and focus on specific objectives to be more productive.

Do you want to know more about high performance, competencies and capabilities? We tell you everything in this post!

What is a high-performance team and what are its characteristics?

A high-performing team is a group of people who work together collaboratively and efficiently to achieve specific goals. These teams stand out for their ability to solve problems creatively, make decisions quickly and effectively, and adapt agilely to changes. In addition, these teams usually have open and fluid communication, mutual trust between their members, clearly defined roles and responsibilities, as well as a shared commitment to common goals.

Let’s look at some of the main characteristics of high-performance equipment:

• Effective communication: promoting open, clear and honest communication between team members is essential to obtain successful results. This facilitates the transmission of ideas, opinions and constructive feedback.
• Mutual trust: If members trust each other, it will promote a work environment where ideas can be shared, risks taken, and conflicts resolved constructively.
• Clear and Shared Objectives: A primary characteristic of high-performing teams is that well-defined goals are set and everyone is aligned to work toward achieving those common goals. Thanks to this focus, the objectives are achieved sooner.
• Defined roles and responsibilities: Each member understands their role within the team and the responsibilities that come with it, allowing for equitable distribution of tasks and maximizing efficiency.
• Collaboration and mutual support: there is a culture of collaboration where members support each other, share knowledge and skills to achieve the team’s objectives.
• Efficient decision-making: decisions are made quickly and based on consensus or analysis, taking advantage of the diversity of opinions and collective knowledge.
• Adaptability and flexibility: the team has the ability to quickly adapt to changes, both internal and external, while maintaining efficiency and focus on its goals.
• Effective leadership: There is a leader or leaders who foster a positive, motivating work environment that inspires team members to reach their full potential.

Competencies and requirements that a high-performance team must meet

A high-performance team requires specialized and diversified technical skills that complement the collective work. These competencies include in-depth knowledge in their respective areas, the ability to solve complex problems with skill, the ability to quickly adapt to new technologies and methodologies, mastery of data management and analysis: as well as the ability to make strategic decisions based on accurate information. In this type of team, creativity is also highly valued when generating solutions, since the more innovative they are, the more the company will differentiate itself from its competitors.

On the other hand, the profile of the team leader is also essential to lead a high-performance team. The ability to lead specific projects and the ability to learn and apply new knowledge in an agile and effective manner in a constantly evolving work environment has become essential today to stay at the forefront of any sector, therefore, in the next point, We will see in more depth what leadership in high-performance teams should be like.

Know the types of high-performance equipment

Within this typology of work, based on the focus of tasks and objectives, we can distinguish several subgroups, such as:

Temporary high-performance teams

They are flexible and changing formations, which vary their structure according to the most urgent objectives. They focus on solving problems or reinforcing specific areas to cover peaks of work. As they are temporary, they do not fall under the usual administrative regulations.

Virtual work teams

According to the International Telework Organization, the trend toward virtual work has been on the rise since the pandemic. Where this way of working occurs most is in the technological sectors and, among its strengths, the adaptability to work remotely and being at the technological forefront stand out.

Formal high-performance teams

They are the teams that operate under a vertical axis. The objectives are perfectly defined and require well-defined leadership for them to work.

Projective equipment

Likewise, they are temporary in nature, arising as a result of a specific project. Their behaviour is a mix between established teams and informal groups.

Self-managed teams

They are made up of experts in a subject, highly qualified and with extensive professional experience. Their function is to advise managers, make decisions based on their knowledge and self-direct their tasks based on the needs that they themselves detect.

Leadership in high-performance teams

Leadership for high-performing teams, more than in any other environment, must be inspiring, empathetic, and team-oriented. The leader must possess skills to motivate, align and guide members towards clear goals, fostering trust and collaboration. It is crucial that the leader promotes an environment where diversity of opinions is valued, creativity is stimulated, and individual and collective achievements are recognized. In addition, she must know how to delegate responsibilities equitably and facilitate efficient decision-making. A leader in high-performing teams acts as a facilitator, empowering her team to unleash their full potential and achieve exceptional results.

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