The phrase “high-performance” has become an increasingly common term to describe workplaces that perform better than their competitors in the long run.
But what are the characteristics of a high-performance team, and how can you, as a small business, build one?
Research and advisory firm Gartner defines a high-performance workplace as: “A high-performance workplace results from continually balancing investment in people, process, physical environment and technology, to measurably enhance the ability of workers to learn, discover, innovate, team and lead, and to achieve efficiency and financial benefit.”
As a small business, you may not have the same resources as larger organisations, but that doesn’t mean you are at a disadvantage when building a high-performance team.
Your people are your business. Ensuring your team is aligned, motivated, and clear on achieving the organisation’s goals sets the foundation for a high-performance workplace.
1. Communication
A high-performance team is characterised by clarity and coordination. The best way to achieve this is through clear communication.
High-performance teams know how to allocate their time to benefit the organisation effectively. For example, emails have become the primary way we communicate in business today, but it’s important to not let them consume your team’s time.
Implementing strategies like email batching, turning off notifications or creating a system to ensure an email is only touched once or twice creates time for more important tasks.
2. Align on values – team purpose, goals and roles
Company values set the tone for company culture. When employees feel aligned with the organisation’s beliefs and values, they are more likely to engage, feel motivated and want to achieve high results. Conversely, without strong and clearly defined company values, businesses will experience the consequences of poor performance, such as a disengaged workforce and higher employee turnover.
High-performing teams work toward achieving a common goal in both the short and long term. When work roles are defined, team members work better as they understand how to do their jobs and why they are doing them.
3. Taking breaks – learn to slow down and take a break
With many teams working from home for over two years now, the lines have blurred between working and living at home. According to the National Bureau of Economic Research, the average workday lengthened by nearly half an hour in 2020.
But, more hours worked does not always equate to higher quality of work. Taking regular breaks increases productivity, motivation and supports stress management. Ensure your team feels comfortable taking a break and putting their mental health first, it will benefit you and your workplace in the long run.
4. Keep career development top of mind
One of the benefits of being a small business is the close relationships you form with your employees. You learn what makes them tick, their strengths, weaknesses, and long-term goals. A high-performance workplace makes employees feel the relationship is reciprocal. They can trust that those higher up want the best for them.
As a small-business owner, align with your employees about their long-term goals and how to build the skills and experience they need to grow. Set tasks that align with their growth and development and incorporate them into the regular workflow that metrics can capture.
No matter how big or small, your company is only as good as its people. Making them feel valued, understood, and appreciated will build the foundation of a high-performance team.
