The #1 Reason Your Team Keeps Underperforming!

Think of the healthiest relationship in your life.

I'm serious. Is it your spouse? Sibling? Best friend? Manager at work? Teammate? 

Now, ask yourself, why is it the healthiest relationship? What makes it healthy?

Don't worry...this will lead to team performance!

My guess (and experience) would tell me that the reason it is the healthiest is because it is a relationship where you feel safe. And by safe, I mean it is a relationship where you can be honest and vulnerable - and let your flaw flag fly. And yet, this person still loves you and values you despite your demons, warts, and skeletons in the closet. In fact, it is probably the reason they love you so much!

The safety you feel allows you to be authentic. And when you are in a relationship or environment that allows you to be authentic - you will be more engaged. 

Google's in-house research verified this fact in their now famous Project Aristotle findings. In short, the highest performing teams had one interesting special sauce in common. The teams that outperformed others had the highest levels of "Psychological Safety." Yes, psychological safety is a fancy term for teams with "Trust, Respect, and Value!"

Don't mistake these teams for "airy fairy" hug-a-thons! Just the opposite. These are teams that put so much time and effort into developing and nurturing trust, respect, and value - that they are able to speed past the superficial pleasantries of "compliment sandwiches" and other techniques needed in environments where people don't feel safe. 

The result - direct, honest, and effective communication and collaboration that leads to high-performance. These sessions can be brutally honest. Navy SEALS and other military use AAR (After Action Reviews). Pixar uses Braintrust meetings while creating a film. And different teams and organizations use different methods to cut through the fat in order to produce results...

BUT...

None of this is possible if you have a relationship, team, or culture where people DON'T feel trusted, respected, and valued. If the work and genuine care has not been put into developing the safety, as well as continuing to nurture it, teams will not be able to be honest with one another without egos, hurt feelings, and stories getting in the way. Instead, they will operate with fear, hesitancy, and skepticism. 

YES! This is the #1 Reason Teams Underperform!
 

Because this is simple, but not EASY. Developing cultures and relationships built on a foundation of trust, respect, and value cannot be bought, stolen, or hijacked through talent. There is no shortcut. It takes time, and a whole lot of intentional effort to get this right. AND MOST TEAMS AND ORGANIZATIONS GET IT WRONG!

The fear and temptation to focus on talent and outcomes sacrifices the very roots needed to establish a culture of sustainable success. Plant Chinese bamboo seeds, water and nurture the soil, and NOTHING happens for 5 years. Yet, once the bamboo breaks the surface - it can grow as quickly as 90 feet in 6 weeks!!!! Why? Because for 5 years you were watering and nurturing the soil, and not seeing results. But under the surface, roots where growing deep and wide so that when the bamboo did break through they could sustain such enormous growth. They are roots built for the long term.

As a leader - where are you spending your time? 

And if you need help - I am here!

I help great teams and organizations grow bamboo in their culture. 

–Travis