Every organisation’s success is based on how their team operates. A highly effective team can work wonders for an organisation but a low-performing one can slow down any company’s progress. This blog explores the key characteristics that define these elite units, drawing insights from the experiences of leading Management Consulting Firms in India.

Building Block #1: Discipline – The Cornerstone Of Consistency

Discipline is a fundamental trait that underpins the success of high-performing teams. It manifests consistent decision-making, productive meetings, and adherence to established routines. However, a lack of clarity regarding discovering that their team members may not fully understand each other’s strategies, objectives, and deliverables, hinders collaboration and support.

To foster discipline, it is crucial to establish a structured meeting process. A simple yet effective approach, as implemented by Root Capital, is to rotate the responsibility of leading meetings among team members. This practice promotes a shared sense of ownership and ensures that decisions are aligned with the overall organisational.

Building Block #2: Drive – The Fuel Of Resilience

High-performing teams are characterised by their unwavering drive and resilience. They are not afraid to tackle challenging tasks and are committed to overcoming obstacles. Their ability to engage in constructive debates and work collaboratively is particularly valuable during times of crisis.

A prime example is a life sciences company that faced an investigation. Despite the daunting circumstances, the top team approached the situation with optimism and developed a comprehensive plan to address the authorities requests. Their meticulous attention to detail and collaborative efforts ultimately led to a favourable outcome, reinforcing their mindset and behaviours for future challenges.

Building Block #3: Dynamism – Embracing Change And Innovation

Top teams are not only driven to resolve existing issues but are also forward-thinking, actively seeking opportunities and anticipating challenges. They view change as a catalyst for growth and invest in innovation to stay ahead of the curve. These teams are adaptable, agile, and willing to adjust their plans as needed.

In contrast, many executives are hesitant to take risks, fearing the consequences of failure. This risk aversion can lead to stagnation and an inability to adapt to changing circumstances. A pharmaceutical company’s approach to embracing failure as a learning opportunity demonstrates the power of dynamism. By dedicating time in meetings to discuss “failures of the month,” the company fosters a constructive environment where mistakes are seen as opportunities for growth.

Building Block #4: Collaboration – The Foundation Of Teamwork

Collaboration is the cornerstone of effective teamwork. It involves building strong personal relationships, fostering inclusion, and cultivating trust among team members. Collaborative teams excel at active listening, giving and receiving feedback, brainstorming solutions, and holding each other accountable.

Building collaboration can be particularly challenging in multicultural environments or after mergers and acquisitions. A technology firm that acquired a European competitor faced a fragmented team following the merger. To improve cooperation, the regional CEO initiated off-site meetings to nurture personal relationships and mutual empathy. By modelling vulnerability and sharing areas for personal improvement, the CEO fostered a more collaborative and trusting environment.

These four traits are not merely individual attributes but collective behaviours that transform a group of leaders into a cohesive, high-performing unit. Cultivating and sustaining these behaviours requires time and effort, but the rewards, including enhanced decision-making, communication, and overall company performance, are well worth it.

As one of the few management consulting firms in India, we help several organisations scale their businesses by addressing complex team concerns and issues. In doing so, we help companies build on their values and culture to establish an adequate system of operating among teams.