Home
>
Team Building
>
Characteristics of High Performance Teams

Characteristics of High Performance Teams

Abstract: Based on significant research, Entelechy has defined characteristics of effective teams.

Entelechy reviewed over 50 studies on high performance teams and compiled a list of high performance team characteristics. We grouped characteristics into eight categories as indicated on the graphic below.

Participative Leadership

Aligned On Purpose And Vision

Task Focused
Shared Responsibility
Innovative
Problem Solving
Strong Communication
Responsive
Self Monitoring

See if your team shares characteristics of High Performance Teams. Circle the characteristics that describe your team; cross off those that don't describe your team.

PARTICIPATIVE LEADERSHIP

Envisioning leadership and organizing leadership
Clear leadership role that is shared
Enables people to make choices
Shared norms
Shared values
Members drawn to the team
Team identity
Belonging/membership
Synergism
Future focused

ALIGNED ON PURPOSE AND VISION

Common shared purpose
Clear shared vision
Self directing
High morale
Team goals align with personal goals and organization goals
Problem solving, not laying blame
Clear, shared understanding of team members' roles

TASK FOCUSED

Challenging tasks
Individual accountability/ownership
Equality in workload
Quality focus
Clear tasks and milestones
Mutual respect for ability
Commitment

SHARED RESPONSIBILITY

Shared decision making
Rewards linked to team performance
Recognize expertise/value added in individuals
Cooperation
Clear standards of acceptable performance
Celebrates success
Clear authority and responsibility
Contribution
Members responsible for team success

INNOVATIVE

Creative talents
May promote personal relationships
Respect for individuals
Empowered and empowering

PROBLEM SOLVING

Upfront and direct; confronts issues not people
Trust
Clear decision-making process
Conflicts managed well
Freedom to express ideas
Freedom to share opinions

STRONG COMMUNICATION

Superb communication
Open communication
Openness
Clear communication channels
Share common language and terminology
External communications
Time managed well
Structure, purposeful meetings (facilitator, timekeeper, recorder, scribe)

RESPONSIVE

Unite/partner with other teams
Flexible
Outward focused
Focus on the customer
Allows risks and mistakes
Promotes group learning

SELF MONITORING

Self correcting; evaluates its own performance
Individuals pleased with work results
Assigns opposing views

About The Author

Terence R. Traut is the president of Entelechy, Inc., a company that helps organizations unlock the potential of their people through customized training programs in the areas of sales, management, customer service, and training. Check out our 40 customizable modules, training tools, and eGuides at www.unlockit.com. Terence can be reached at 603-424-1237 or www.unlockit.com

same day cleaning service Lincolnshire ...

In The News:

Jevon Martinez livestreamed himself removing 10 Flock Safety cameras in Bernalillo County, but authorities say eight belonged to neighborhood associations.

A dark web service called Nexus claimed to hold over 153 million driver's license records, and the FBI confirms it is now looking into the incident.

Asking Siri to call American Express connected an 82-year-old woman to a bogus number that nearly drained $100,000 from her Bank of America account.

The Fox News AI Newsletter covers the latest artificial intelligence technology advancements, including the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

iPhone Duo opens to a 7.6-inch foldable display starting at $1,999, but Siri Recap's ambient listening on Apple Watch may spark privacy concerns.

Homeowners association meeting minutes and membership lists can expose names, addresses and emails that scammers use to craft convincing phishing scams.

Lima, Ohio, has installed 3,120 floating solar panels on its Twin Lakes Reservoir, projecting nearly $10 million in electricity cost savings.

Amazon's Alexa for Shopping now lets customers verify suspicious emails, texts and phone calls against the company's own communication records.

Lindsey Brooke Isaacs spent 13 days in jail after a Flock camera flagged her Dodge Durango near a fatal Florida crash that killed three people.

AI-powered smart grocery carts are linked to 32% higher spending, according to new research, as Instacart Caper Carts expand across U.S. stores.

A VPN encrypts your connection on hotel, airport and café Wi-Fi abroad, but streaming catalogs and live sports access still depend on provider rules.

Gmail's Verified Sender Program launches September 8, 2026, giving U.S. political committees a more reliable path to your personal email inbox.

Elroy Air's Chaparral can carry over 500 pounds and fly 450 miles without a runway, and the FAA just tested it under a new federal program.

Bedrock Robotics says its autonomous excavators are doing paid earthwork on active job sites in Texas and Nevada with no operator in the cab.

A dedicated banking computer isolates your financial accounts from malware and phishing, but passwords, SIM swapping and outdated software remain risks.

The OlloNi SS1 AI robot pet uses a 4K camera and facial recognition to learn your family, but its removable Red Heart memory module raises questions.

Nine identity theft warning signs range from unfamiliar credit inquiries to SIM swap attacks that can quietly drain your bank account funds.

Robot.com's R-dog uses articulated legs and wheels to climb stairs and deliver packages, while its built-in screens display paid ads along the route.

MyChart phishing emails mimic real patient portal alerts with fake lab results and malware tricks that target Windows users across the country.

The Fox News AI Newsletter covers the latest artificial intelligence technology advancements, including the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

Google's Motion Assist places animated dots on Pixel screens to combat motion sickness in vehicles, but the Android 17 rollout remains limited.

Moving to a 55+ community can quickly expose your data to scammers and data brokers before you even unpack, putting your whole family at risk.

Amazon Prime Air drone delivery plans to reach nearly 500 U.S. cities by the end of 2026, but your yard and ZIP code may determine eligibility.

The FBI reports nearly $21 billion in cybercrime losses for 2025, up 26%, as AI scams make fake voices and identities more convincing than ever.

Uber teen accounts now feature live video streaming from the driver's camera, but encrypted recordings stay on Uber's servers for up to 14 days.

Characteristics of High Performance Teams

Team Building