Building High Performance Teams

Overview

Establishing and sustaining a high-performance team demands continuous dedication and commitment. What truly distinguishes a high-performance team from others is the working principles, the pivotal role played by leadership and the prevailing organisational culture.

This comprehensive program outlines a meticulous action plan aligned with our high-performance model. It provides a structured framework, representing what we consider the most efficacious approach to crafting an elite high-performance team.
We help leaders understand how their actions and behaviours drive the cultural landscape, fostering an environment where people can thrive. This, in turn, becomes a catalyst for the overall success of the organisation.

This program is designed to be highly engaging and participatory, employing interactive elements, analogies, storytelling techniques, and hands-on experiences rooted in real-world case studies. This ensures a dynamic and immersive learning experience for participants.

TeamFirst doctrine to be a high-performance team

Establishing and sustaining a high-performance team demands continuous dedication and commitment. What truly distinguishes a high-performance team from others are the working principles and practices outlined in the TeamFirst doctrine. 

The doctrine has been developed based on Gavin Brown’s profound familiarity with high-performance environments, acquired through 35 years of experience in both playing and coaching elite sports. This time was dedicated to collaborating with leaders and teams to create successful environments, providing an understanding of the challenges they face in maintaining competitiveness, adapting to change, and fostering innovation.

The doctrine is a people-centric approach that facilitates the transformation of business direction, leadership styles, and team dynamics by reshaping behaviors and mindsets.

Every principal is accompanied by specific practices, each serving a distinct purpose. It is crucial not to overlook any of the 12 practices, as each contributes to forming a comprehensive understanding of a high-performing team. While every practice holds inherent importance, TeamFirst underscores the paramount role of leadership in cultivating and maintaining heightened levels of engagement. This focal point is elaborated in section 2 of the doctrine- the playbook for leaders, which explains the character traits essential for effective leadership.

 

Section 1- Principles and practices of high-performance teams

Set The Direction

At the core of high-performing teams is the establishment of a clear direction. This direction gains depth when aligned with a motivation for actions. This motivation, in turn, shapes a unique set of defining team characteristics, becoming the filter for decision-making and ensuring consistency. The culmination is a well-defined plan, translating the established direction and motivation into actionable steps.

Establish ways of working

A team must establish well-defined ways of operating, supported by robust systems, structures, routines, and an environment conducive to peak performance. Emphasise the importance of a positive and inclusive culture, fostering psychological safety. Additionally, actively manage known factors to hinder individual and collective thriving, ensuring that the team is not only efficient but also supportive. Clearly articulate standards, ensuring that expectations are transparent and well-understood when work is executed.

Maximise the ability of the team

Prioritise the investment in your people. Foster strong relationships and connections, provide support and development opportunities, and embrace a diverse range of skills. Clarify roles and responsibilities to enhance team efficiency. Additionally, focus on creating, nurturing, and maintaining the values, customs, and social behaviours that define your team.

The twelve practices

Set the direction

  • 1. Set a clear vision and purpose
  • 2. Establish your identity
  • 3. Translate the vision and purpose into a strategic plan

Establish ways of working

  • 4. Confirm and develop systems and processes for peak performance
  • 5. Have clear, consistent and transparent communication
  • 6. Implement a continuous performance feedback model
  • 7. Promote a psychologically safe environment
  • 8. Ensure an empowering, collaborative and inclusive environment is in place

Maximise the ability
of the team

  • 9. Build connections and cultivate strong relationships
  • 10. Ensure the right people are in the right roles for success
  • 11. Create, nurture and live the values
  • 12. Ensure there is strong leadership to drive standards and direction

High Performance Model

Practise 1, 2 and 3

  • 1. Set a clear vision and purpose
  • 2. Establish your identity
  • 3. Translate the vision and purpose into a strategic plan

Practise 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8

  • 4. Confirm and develop systems and processes for peak performance
  • 5. Have clear, consistent and transparent communication
  • 6. Implement a continuous performance feedback model
  • 7. Promote a psychologically safe environment
  • 8. Ensure an empowering, collaborative and inclusive environment is in place

Practise 9, 10, 11 and 12

  • 9. Build connections and cultivate strong relationships
  • 10. Ensure the right people are in the right roles for success
  • 11. Create, nurture and live the values
  • 12. Ensure there is strong leadership to drive standards and direction