A common leadership trap is assuming that a hard-working team is a high-performing one. Effort alone doesn’t guarantee progress. The more useful question is: Is your team helping you grow your business, or are they just staying busy? Discover 6 ways to know if my team is working optimally to support my firm or not, so you can create your ideal business and life.
Ask yourself: Do your team members proactively share updates, flag issues early, improve processes, and offer feedback to one another? If not, it might be time to foster a more communicative culture.
Let’s explore six ways to tell when your team is truly operating at its best, and what to do if they’re not.
- Your Team Communicates Clearly and Often
Even the most talented teams can fall short when communication breaks down. Small misalignments like missed updates, unspoken assumptions, or delayed questions can snowball into missed deadlines and unnecessary tension.
High-performing teams make communication a habit. According to Gallup, 80% of employees who receive meaningful feedback on a weekly basis are fully engaged. That kind of engagement leads to fewer misunderstandings, better collaboration, and faster progress to support your firm’s growth.
Ask yourself: Do my team members proactively share updates, raise concerns early, and offer feedback to you and one another? If not, it might be time to build more intentional and regular communication into your culture.
Download 2 great articles on Effective Communication by going to https://bit.ly/communication-articles.
- Your Team Knows What Success Looks Like
A team can’t hit a target they can’t see. When your employees are unclear about their goals or how their work contributes to the bigger picture, they’re likely to drift.
Clarity breeds accountability. When everyone understands what’s expected—and why—it’s easier to prioritize, make decisions, and stay aligned.
Consider this: only 44% of managers receive leadership training, yet they play a crucial role in setting clear expectations. Investing in manager development can help ensure that your team has the guidance they need to succeed.
- Your Team Takes Initiative Without Waiting for Permission
A team that waits for instructions is a team that slows your growth down. The most effective employees don’t just follow orders—they anticipate needs, solve problems, and act without being asked.
This kind of ownership often stems from a culture of trust and empowerment. When people feel safe to take risks and know their contributions are valued, they’re more likely to step up.
Empowering your team doesn’t mean stepping back entirely, it means providing the support and autonomy they need to thrive. Regular check-ins, clear goals, and recognition can go a long way in fostering this environment.
- Your Team Supports Each Other
In high-performing teams, members don’t just focus on their own tasks, they help each other succeed. This collaborative spirit can lead to better outcomes and a more positive work environment.
Research shows that 37% of employees stay at their workplace because of a great team. When team members feel supported by their colleagues, they’re more likely to stay engaged and committed.
Foster this culture by encouraging knowledge sharing, celebrating team achievements, and promptly addressing conflicts.
- Your Team Embraces Feedback and Learn from Mistakes
Feedback is a powerful tool for growth; however, only when your team is open to it. A willingness to learn from mistakes and adapt is a sign of a resilient and a growth-oriented team.
According to Gallup, teams that receive strength-based feedback are 12.5% more productive than those that receive no feedback at all. Regular, constructive feedback helps individuals improve and fosters a culture of continuous improvement.
Encourage a feedback-rich environment by modeling openness, providing regular performance discussions, and creating safe spaces for dialogue.
Download my complimentary support team performance assessment, so you can customize it for each of your team members by going to https://bit.ly/SupportTeamAssessment. It is an effective communication and expectation tool.
- Your Team Celebrates Wins and Learns from Losses
Recognition isn’t just about boosting morale—it reinforces the behaviors you want to see. Celebrating successes, big or small, helps your team feel valued and motivated.
At the same time, setbacks are inevitable. What matters is how your team responds. Do they analyze what went wrong, extract lessons, and apply them moving forward? A team that learns from failure is one that grows stronger over time.
Make it a habit to acknowledge achievements and debrief after challenges. This balanced approach promotes a culture of resilience, continuous learning, and personal growth.
Final Thoughts
Assessing your team’s performance isn’t just about metrics—it’s about observing behaviors, communication patterns, and attitudes. By focusing on these six areas, you can gain a clearer picture of how well your team is supporting your business goals.
Remember, a high-performing team doesn’t happen by accident. It requires intentional effort, ongoing support, and a commitment to growth—from both you and your team members.
So, take a moment to reflect: is your team truly operating at its best? If not, what steps can you take today to move closer to that ideal?
To explore some strategies for building a high-performance team, go to https://bit.ly/team-blueprint.
To learn more about how to Create Systems and Processes to Make Your Business More Productive and increase the valuation of your business, go to https://bit.ly/createprocesses.
The success rate of an entrepreneur starting a business varies; however, roughly 20% of businesses fail in their first year, and 50% fail within the first five years, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Most entrepreneurs don’t have any formal education or experience running a business. They didn’t get into business to manage people. They got into a business because of their passion for what they want to do and provide.
These failure rates of small businesses are often attributed to factors like cash flow issues, lack of market demand, and operational inefficiencies. In addition, a commonly overlooked reason is poor leadership and management, especially when it comes to managing people.
It is generally true to say that most entrepreneurs:
- Don’t have formal education or training in business or management.
- Start their business out of passion or expertise in a particular craft or industry, not because they want to manage teams.
- Often underestimate the importance of leadership and people management.
In fact, according to the Kauffman Foundation, many first-time entrepreneurs come from technical or creative backgrounds (e.g., engineers, designers, chefs, consultants), and lack the soft skills needed to manage people, delegate, and build strong teams.
Let me share a few powerful ways you upskill yourself and be even more successful:
- Take Leadership and Management Courses
- Many online platforms offer short, practical courses in leadership, team management, emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, and more.
- Topics to look for: People management, coaching skills, hiring and delegation, feedback, and performance management.
- Workshops and Bootcamps: Organizations like Dale Carnegie, Center for Creative Leadership (CCL), or Franklin Covey offer targeted workshops for small business leaders.
- Hire a Business or Accountability Coach
- Coaches help entrepreneurs develop leadership skills, clarify expectations with their team, and implement systems that foster team performance and culture.
- Read Books on Leadership
- Recommended reads:
- Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek
- The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni
- Multipliers by Liz Wiseman
- Drive by Daniel Pink
- Recommended reads:
Most entrepreneurs don’t fail because of a lack of passion — they fail because they lack the systems and leadership to scale their vision through others. Learning how to manage people isn’t optional when you want a sustainable and growing business. It’s a learnable skill, and the earlier entrepreneurs invest in it, the better their odds of long-term success.
Unlock a blueprint to creating and having your ideal business and ideal life by scheduling your free consultation with me today!
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Do you feel like your business has plateaued or you are sick and tired of being sick and tired? Could you use a shot in the arm to make even more progress on your professional and personal goals? Consider working with The Accountability Pit-Bull™. I’m here to help you accelerate your results, so you can enjoy your ideal business and ideal life!
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