High performing teams focus on psychological safety in driving performance
At the core of high-performing teams is largely the relationship between the people in team members.
Research has shown that psychological safety is the key factor that distinguishes high-performing teams. This week we would like to explore the attributes that every high-performing team should embrace.
- Focus should be more on learning and not executing the task.
In a situation where the team fails to be on target on a planned assignment, it is important to look back and have an understanding of where the team missed the mark rather than rushing to find the solution and moving onto the next assignment.
Take failure and challenges as opportunities to learn and come up with a solution as a team. Allow team members to discuss freely without fear of reprisal.
- Encourage the “Think-outside-box” Philosophy
Learning and innovating is all about trying new things.
As a leader, cultivate the spirit of promoting the opportunity to experiment and support the exploration of new ideas.
A leader who promotes the concept of “thinking-outside-the-box”, be prepared to speak in hypotheses, not certainties. This promotes the spirit of innovation
- Demonstrate curiosity
A true leader leads by example and is good at asking questions.
Doing so will not only trigger conversations and demonstrate the value of pushing the status quo, highlighting that the workplace is a safe environment to be vulnerable and not know everything.
It is therefore critical to encourage team members to have that curiosity to try out new ideas focusing on the positives despite obstacles along the way.
- Failure Is Part of the Game
In any learning endeavor it should be acknowledged that failure is an inevitable part of the process. What makes the difference is one’s reaction to the mistakes which has an impact on how the team will react to the mistakes.
It is always important to be transparent, about one’s mistakes, and work together to glean insights from the incident.
So as a leader you need to lead by example to set a precedent for the rest of the team.
- Embrace the Negative
There is always anxiety leading to a difficult discussion.
As a high performing team set a standard that you and your team openly discuss issues and deal with them head-on, to prevent smaller issues from spiraling into real problems.
By creating a safe environment to confront tough situations, you’ll work through the issue and come out stronger.
- Create safe spaces
Creating a safe workplace require effort from all in the team. As the team grows and evolves, dynamics will change.
There is need to focus on maintaining psychological safety so as drive team creativity and innovation.
That means continuing to check on how the team is feeling, in group discussions and one-on-one situations
- Build team values
Create a set of written norms for everyone to follow. The team should come up with an agreed mission or value statement unique to your team, including the characteristics that your team will embrace and embody, and the values that you’ll all respect and hold each other accountable to.
It is usually enjoyable for team members to embrace what they were part of in co-creating
Promoting a safe, open, and inclusive workplace calls for effort but is the route to tapping into the team’s full potential, enabling them to be more effective and efficient.
Chiedza Kadare is an OD Practitioner. You can get in touch with her on WhatsApp/call +263 77 283 0986 or Email chiedza.kadare@gmail.com
Paul Nyausaru is an OD Practitioner and leadership coach. For all your OD interventions and leadership development training you can get in touch with him on WhatsApp/call +263774062756 or Email pnyausaru@gmail.com
