Building a High-Performance Team
In every workplace, there are rules that everyone seems to follow without them being written down anywhere. These are the unspoken rules that guide how people behave and work together. They come from watching what gets attention and what doesn’t, and they teach us the real ‘way we do things around here.’ While these rules can be powerful, they aren’t always talked about or aligned with the company’s official goals.
'Unwritten rules'
Unwritten rules are made by looking around. Staff members notice what actions get praised and what gets overlooked. This teaches everyone that actions are more important than any company statement. These rules can be good or bad. Good ones make teams work better and faster, but bad ones can cause problems and conflicts.
A strong company culture usually shows in its values, mission, and how it treats customers. Ideally, these things are so well understood that every team member can act on them without being told. But, sometimes, company culture isn’t positive, leading to issues like people leaving the company more often.
signs of a negative culture
High number of people leaving particularly unexpectedly
No clear direction or mission that everyone is working towards
Leaders /Managers not living by the ‘right’ values
Negative/bad competition amongst team members
Actions not matching words - Saying one thing but doing another
Leading companies just as Netflix have lessons we can all learn from, they know how to make a great workplace culture. Netflix focuses on what employees achieve, not how long they work. This shows they trust their employees. They’ve clearly defined their culture in a document that explains their belief in freedom and responsibility for their staff.
There’s no single way to nurture or improve company culture because every company is unique. But, there are steps to help get things back on track:
Encourage feedback from everyone
Make work better and more enjoyable
Be open about what's going on in the company
Keep good employees and healthy relationships amongst each other
Regularly check in to make sure the company's values are being followed
Leadership is key. Leaders need to show the kind of behaviour they want to see in their team. This helps create a positive environment where everyone can do their best work.
Key Takeaways
Unwritten rules shape how people act at work
Positive rules help teams be more effective
Leaders play a crucial role in creating a positive culture
Regular checks and open communication can improve culture
Take a look at my 'Canny Bites' book
For those looking to delve deeper into creating a high-performance team, “Canny Bites: Attract, retain and grow your team to grow your business” is worth a read. This book is the third in my ‘Canny Bites’ series and offers practical advice on building a team that not only stays but thrives and contributes to sustainable business success. Covering everything from the latest workplace trends to personal development, it’s an essential guide for anyone looking to enhance their team and business.