Professional development company, Dale Carnegie, has recently released the findings of its survey aimed at identifying the distinguishing qualities of highly effective teams. Analyzing the feedback from 2,650 participants, the survey has distilled seven key recommendations for constructing a high-performing team.
7 recommendations from Dale Carnegie for high-performing TECH teams
Establish a Clear Purpose and Vision
To ensure team members comprehend how their skills and tasks contribute to the broader objectives, teams must define a clear purpose and vision. Dale Carnegie suggests breaking down overarching goals into smaller milestones, facilitating progress tracking, discussions, and performance enhancements.
Bridge Perception Gaps in Productivity, Satisfaction, and Culture
Highlighting a Microsoft report, the study reveals a significant perception gap—87% of employees feel productive, whereas only 12% of CEOs share this belief. To address this disparity, the recommendation is to enhance leaders’ understanding of individual employee experiences. Closing this gap is crucial, as leaders may overlook improvement opportunities and neglect genuine team needs.
Comprehend Factors Contributing to Team Satisfaction
The report underscores the correlation between satisfaction and high performance. Eighty-nine percent of high-performing teams express being “very or extremely satisfied,” compared to 65% among non-high performers. Key drivers of team satisfaction include collaboration, group participation, and trust. Notably, growth opportunities, cooperation, and the ability to share ideas stand out as differentiators between higher and lower-performing teams.
Promote Effective Team Communication
Effectively communicating a clear purpose and vision across the organization is essential for fostering teamwork. The report emphasizes that a collective understanding through effective communication helps teams align with the purpose and vision, offering additional motivation during high-stress situations or heavy workloads, ultimately bolstering resilience.
Embrace Adaptability
Adaptability enables teams to navigate ongoing workplace changes successfully. The report highlights that 74% of teams surpassing their goals attribute their success to good access to training and development materials. The organizational culture should integrate a commitment to continuous development, emphasizing empowerment. Team members should feel equipped with the necessary skills and empowered to contribute productively to their work and collaborate with colleagues.
Foster Collaboration and Cross-Functionality
Dale Carnegie posits that successful teams thrive on coworkers who share a positive attitude and understand each other’s roles. The research indicates that as team interaction frequency decreases, so does the likelihood of being a high-performing team. In the evolving landscape of flexible work models like fractional work, role sharing, and matrixed teams, the importance of collaboration and cross-functionality becomes even more pronounced.
Culture Remains Irreplaceable by Technology
With the integration of tools such as generative AI, natural language processing, and VR/AR into the workplace, teams should bear in mind that “technology plays a supportive role in shaping and empowering high-performing teams, rather than a primary one.”
Dale Carnegie suggests that while exploring the implications of these new technologies within a team, there should also be a parallel consideration of opportunities to enhance the team’s culture.
