What makes some teams unstoppable? Why do certain teams consistently hit high performance, tackling challenges and delivering results, time and again? Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of building high-performance teams from the ground up, being an active part of them, and closely observing how other great teams operate. What I’ve learned is that these teams aren’t just lucky or talented—they have a unique DNA.
At the heart of every high-performance team lies a strong foundation of trust, supported by three essential elements: humility, smarts, and energy. Think of it like a wheel: trust is the hub at the center, while the three elements act as the spokes that keep everything together. Without that solid center of trust, the spokes can’t do their job. And while the specifics might vary from team to team, the truth is that you need all three to keep that wheel spinning smoothly.
The Hub: Trust – Trust is the foundation that holds a high-performance team together. It’s not just important—it’s essential. Without trust, no amount of talent or effort can compensate, and the wheel quickly falls apart.
Establishing trust is all about showing consistency and authenticity. When your actions align with your words, and when you communicate openly and transparently, you lay the groundwork for strong relationships within the team. It’s not just about promises—it’s about keeping them. When people see that you are reliable, accountable, and invested in shared goals, trust naturally follows.
Trust also means giving your team the freedom to take ownership and make decisions. When team members feel empowered and know their leader believes in their abilities, it creates a cycle of trust and accountability that fosters deeper collaboration and commitment.
The Three Spokes – With trust firmly at the center, let’s look at the three essential elements that connect to it: humility, smarts, and energy. These spokes give the wheel its structure and stability, and while you can adapt them to fit your team’s needs, having at least three solid spokes is critical for keeping that wheel turning smoothly.
Humility – “Humility” is about recognizing your own limitations and valuing the strengths of those around you. It’s not about having all the answers but rather leaning on the collective expertise of the team and creating an environment where everyone feels comfortable doing the same. When team members are encouraged to admit what they don’t know and collaborate without fear of judgment, they become more open to feedback and focused on learning and growth.
This kind of humility isn’t just a personal trait—it’s a cultural one that sets the tone for the entire team, fostering continuous improvement and resilience.
Smarts – “Smarts” in high-performance teams go beyond technical skills. It also includes emotional intelligence—the ability to understand and manage both your emotions and those of others. This blend of intellectual and emotional smarts has proven to be a game-changer, especially during high-pressure situations.
During challenging project phases, it’s often the emotional intelligence of the team that helps navigate tight deadlines and complex problems. Knowing when to listen, when to lead, and how to adapt to different personalities is just as crucial as having the technical expertise to solve the problem at hand. Encouraging both types of smarts creates a team that can think critically while also being empathetic and responsive to each other’s needs.
Energy – “Energy” is the dynamic force that drives high-performance teams forward. It encompasses both the grit to keep going when the going gets tough and the positive energy that individuals bring to the group. Energy isn’t just about effort—it’s about the attitude and enthusiasm that fuels the team’s momentum.
Positive energy tends to lift the entire team, fostering a spirit of collaboration and optimism. On the other hand, negative energy can quickly pull a team down, creating friction and reducing productivity. Building a culture that encourages each member to contribute their best energy—whether that’s in the form of enthusiasm, resilience, or that extra push during crunch time—can make all the difference.
Conclusion – Building a high-performance team is like constructing a wheel: trust is the hub that keeps everything aligned and moving forward. Without trust at the center, even the most skilled team can’t gain momentum. But with trust in place, the three spokes—humility, smarts, and energy—transform individual effort into collective strength.
But there’s something even more powerful at play: high-performance teams don’t just add value—they multiply it. When the right people perform at a high level, the synergy between them means the results compound over time, much like the power of compounding interest in investing. As each team member contributes their best, their collective output becomes far greater than the sum of their individual efforts. This multiplier effect is what drives exceptional outcomes and allows teams to achieve results that may have once seemed out of reach.
So, start building that trust, nurturing humility, smarts, and energy in your team—and watch as the results far exceed what you ever thought possible.
See you next week,
Brent, your Rivr Guide
