Building High-Performance Teams: Reflecting on my Leadership over the Years

Lee Iacocca famously said, “I hire smart people and get out of their way,” echoing Steve Jobs’ belief that you should hire brilliant people so they can tell you what to do—not the other way around. This philosophy suggests that if you simply gather exceptional talent, the rest will take care of itself.

It’s a tempting notion, isn’t it? The idea that brilliance alone is the secret ingredient to success.

But time and again, I’ve seen brilliant teams win. But here is the kicker, the brilliant team consists of ordinary people.

Over the decade, I’ve worked with a diverse range of teams. Teams filled with brilliant individuals, average performers, and everything in between. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: brilliance alone doesn’t guarantee success.

Why Brilliance Isn’t Enough

Even the most talented teams face challenges. Conflict arises. Egos clash. Miscommunication creeps in. As the saying goes, too many cooks spoil the broth and that applies even when every cook is a culinary genius.

What I’ve found is that high-performing teams don’t just rely on brilliance. Instead, they excel because of specific qualities and practices that foster collaboration, creativity, and resilience.

Here’s what sets extraordinary teams apart:

They Care About Each Other

High-performance teams aren’t just about great individual contributors, they’re about people who genuinely care for their teammates. They step into help without hesitation, they celebrate wins together and have each other’s backs when the chips are down.

They Care About Their Work

The best teams are filled with people who take pride in their craft. They are not content with “good enough”. They revisit their work during their own time because they noticed room for improvement. They hold themselves to a high standard, even when nobody is watching.

They Handle Losing with Grace

No team wins all the time. What sets high-performing teams apart is their resilience. They don’t throw their toys out of the pram when they fail.

They Prioritise Clear Communication

The best teams work tirelessly to improve their communication. They ask questions to clarify, not criticise. And most importantly, they ensure everyone is on the same page. I cannot stress the importance of over communication in a team that performs at a high level.

They Learn from the Past

Mistakes happen. But high-performing teams don’t repeat them. They’re not afraid to admit when something didn’t work.

Building a Culture of Success

High performance teams don’t just happen by accident. They’re the result of intentional effort, strong leadership, and a shared commitment to excellence.

A leader’s job isn’t just to hire smart people and get out of their way. It’s to create an environment where they can thrive, a culture that values listening, empathy, camaraderie and collaboration. And listening. Did I mention listening?

Success isn’t an individual sport!