How to Assess Your Team (Part 3)

Continuing the assessment and development of critical skills within your team is essential for sustaining high performance and growth. In Part 3, we'll take a closer look at two more fundamental skills: adaptability and teamwork.

Adaptability is crucial in today’s fast-paced work environment. Team members should be able to quickly adjust their approach in response to changing circumstances, embrace new technologies and processes readily, and maintain productivity and composure under stress. If these behaviors are not being displayed, leaders should try challenging team members with new and diverse projects, setting up cross-functional projects to gain experience with different perspectives, and offering feedback to help them understand new viewpoints. Failing to do so can lead to inflexibility that slows innovation and response to market changes, causes undue stress, and contributes to a sense of resistance to new ideas.

Teamwork is perhaps the most important and most obvious factor required for high-performing teams. Remember, just because people are working together, doesn't necessarily mean they are functioning as a team. Effective collaboration, open communication, and respect for diverse viewpoints are key components of strong teamwork. Each member should be able to contribute to group goals, help resolve conflicts amicably, and communicate openly. If these behaviors are not being displayed, it may be time to start engaging in team-building activities to strengthen bonds. It's also a good idea to try and instill empathy by having them consider others’ perspectives or create collaborative projects to improve team dynamics. If a team can't function as one, it can lead to project failures and missed goals.

Leveraging and supporting these critical skills is crucial for sustained success. Leaders should consider encouraging team members to train and mentor each other in both of these disciplines, and provide new opportunities and challenges to help them apply and further develop these skills. By focusing on these strategies, you can build a high-performing team that is motivated, engaged, and effective in achieving its goals.