High performance team tracker

High performing teams are different. They keep track of things they need to do that they can control, influence and that predict great performance. Then they use that information to perform even better.

This tool is all about building confidence that the team is consistently doing the things it needs to do to get the results it wants.

Reading time: 4 minutes

What will it do?

This tool is all about building confidence that the team is consistently doing the things it needs to do to get the results it wants. It’s pretty good on its own and even better once you’ve completed and used the High performance team assessment tool. You can do this as a team or do it separately then bring all the scores together and combine the results.

You can use this tool anytime and it works best when it becomes a habit, completing it every month or so. That way you’ll get a good idea of progress and the more often you get the feedback it provides, the quicker you’ll make progress.

Three steps to take

Get focused on the things that will make the most impact for you

1. Read the statements below

Score them on a scale of 1-10 where 1 is “we’re rubbish” and 10 is “we’re brilliant.”

Statement Score
Our team purpose is living and breathing
We’re in control and focused on the things that matter
We’re making the most of our talents to meet the demands we face
We constantly get better by learning from how we’ve performed
We benefit from each other’s knowledge, skills and experience
We’re clear on how all our roles contribute to the team goals
We connect well with and influence key people who aren’t on the team
There’s a high sense of collective confidence about this team
We all feel responsible and accountable for the team’s performance
We are really productive, getting lots of important stuff done

2. Now prioritise and set some targets

There’s no point in trying to do everything so think about the areas that will have the biggest impact for the team and decide on the timescale. At least 1 and ideally no more than 3. List them here in order of importance and set out what success will look like. The one here is just an example, not a hint or an instruction.

Priority Target What success looks like
In control and focused  8/10 We know what we can control and we spend our time and energy there. If there are things we’re not controlling but need to, we’re working on that. We don’t spend time moaning about stuff we can’t do anything about or are just part of our playing conditions

3. Nearly there.

Now decide what you are actually going to do as a team to increase those scores. We’ve filled in one example to get you going and you probably don’t want more than 5 or 6. You can always add different ones as the habits you’ve chosen at first become, well, habits.

Priority Action
In control and focused Identify the things we need and want to control.
Identify the things we can’t control and the things we just have to accept as part of our playing conditions

 

Your plan

Get a plan Stan. The basics you need to have in your plan are set out below.

Plan basics

  1. What are you going to do? (This bit is easy – it’s the 3 things listed above. No 3 is particularly helpful here)

    My actions:

  2. When are you going to start? (You don’t have to be great to get going, but you better get going if you want to be great)

    My start date:

  3. How often will you be doing it? (Getting great has a lot to do with making things a habit)

    Check in dates:

Get serious

The difference between having a plan and making it work is about action. So get this in your diary now. Tell the people who need to know so that they can support you and won’t just think you’re being weird. Do it now.

Remember, it’s progress not perfection. You’re looking for gradual improvement, not for Rome to be built in a day.