How to Build High-Performing Teams

Every leader wants a high-performing team. But the truth is: great teams aren’t born, they’re built. And building them takes intention.

In Leading on Purpose, I draw on the Drexler/Sibbet Team Performance Model to explain the journey teams go through as they evolve from a group of individuals into a cohesive, high-performing unit.

Here’s how it works:

1. Orientation – Why am I here?

At the start, people need clarity. What’s our purpose? Why have we been brought together? Without a shared answer, teams risk drifting or disengaging. Leaders must articulate a compelling purpose and connect it to individual motivations.

2. Trust Building – Who are you?

Trust is the foundation of teamwork. Members want to know: Can I rely on you? Will you listen? Do you follow through? Leaders build trust through openness, consistency, and creating psychological safety. Without trust, progress stalls. I have another blog in trust linked here. Trust: The Invisible Force That Drives High-Performing Cultures

3. Goal Clarification – What are we doing?

Once trust is forming, teams turn to the work itself. They need clarity on goals and measures of success. Vague direction leads to wasted effort; precise, shared goals drive alignment. To drive real innovation and performance, setting big goals is important. See my blog on DUMB goals here. Why “DUMB” Goals Might Save Your Culture (and Outperform SMART Ones)

4. Commitment – How will we do it?

Agreement on the process is essential. This stage is about roles, responsibilities, and ways of working. Who makes decisions? How will conflicts be resolved? Without commitment to a shared approach, teams risk friction and rework.

5. Implementation – Who does what, when, where?

With purpose, trust, goals, and processes in place, teams can execute. This is where the plan comes alive, coordination matters, and discipline in delivery is tested.

6. High Performance – Wow!

This is the stage every leader aspires to. The team operates with trust, clarity, and flow. Innovation sparks, collaboration deepens, and results often exceed expectations. You can feel the energy of high performance, people are excited, and progress is being made to achieve their goals. High-performing teams don’t just meet goals—they set new benchmarks.

7. Renewal – Why continue?

High performance isn’t static. Teams need to ensure the team purpose and goal remain relevant, too often, we find teams that achieve high performance and achieve their goals quickly fall from high performance. The key is to reset and reconsider the team's purpose and set new goals to continue the journey.

Final Thought

Building a high-performing team is a journey, not a shortcut. Leaders play a critical role in guiding their teams through each stage—clarifying purpose, fostering trust, setting goals, and reinforcing processes.

The payoff? A team that not only delivers results, but also creates an environment where people thrive.

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