High-Impact Teamwork
Self-Assessment: High-Impact Teamwork
Please take a few moments to answer the following self-reflection questions. Where can you identify opportunities for personal growth in your leadership?
Do I contribute my strengths in a way that benefits the entire team?
How well do I communicate with my team members during problem-solving?
When challenges arise, do I rely on teamwork or try to handle things on my own?
Do I listen actively and consider the ideas of others before making decisions?
Am I open to feedback from teammates and willing to adjust my approach?
How adaptable am I when team needs, priorities, or methods change?
Does my team function as a connected group working toward shared success?
Do I encourage and support my teammates in their roles?
Remember, this self-assessment is just a starting point for understanding High-Impact Teamwork as a leader. It's essential to reflect on your responses and actively work on areas where improvement is needed.
“It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.”
A team is more than just a collection of people working alongside each other. High-impact teamwork happens when a group aligns their skills, communicates openly, and works toward a shared purpose in a way that strengthens both individual and team performance.
Teams that operate at a high level solve problems efficiently, make informed decisions, and produce stronger results. When people collaborate effectively, they create a work environment that is productive, engaging, and rewarding for everyone involved.
One of the core drivers of high impact teamwork is a growth mindset. This mindset is the belief that skills and abilities improve through effort, learning, and collaboration. Teams that adopt this mindset continue evolving, refining their strengths, and learning from challenges.
The goal of this session is to explore what makes teamwork effective and how you can contribute to building a team that consistently delivers strong results.
A group of people working in the same place does not automatically make a team. A true team is one where members support each other, share information, and align their efforts in a way that makes the whole greater than the sum of its parts.
Imagine a crew assigned to complete a project. Each worker knows their job, but if they focus only on their individual tasks without considering the bigger picture, delays and mistakes become more likely. A missing supply, a small error in planning, or a change in schedule could slow everything down if there is no communication.
Now picture a different crew. Before starting the job, they take a moment to discuss their roles and anticipate potential obstacles. As the work progresses, they check in with each other, offer support, and adjust their approach as needed. They ask questions, share ideas, and keep the job moving forward.
Both teams had the same level of skill, but one operated at a higher level because they worked as a unit instead of a collection of individuals. Teamwork is not just about working at the same time in the same place. It is about communicating, problem-solving, and using strengths strategically to achieve better results.
“The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team.”
Recognizing what makes a team effective is just the start. The next step is applying that knowledge by identifying strengths—both individually and as a team. This exercise, done alone or with others, will help you reflect on contributions, adjust responsibilities, and improve collaboration:
Activity: Strengths Mapping
Each participant writes down:
One strength they bring to the team.
One challenge they struggle with.
One teammate (or colleague) they admire for a particular skill.
After reflecting individually, you can discuss your responses in small groups or as a team. Together, explore ways to adjust responsibilities to maximize strengths, improve efficiency, reduce frustration, and build confidence.
High-impact teamwork does not happen by accident. It requires effort, clear expectations, and a commitment to working together. Here are some best practices to help teams strengthen their effectiveness and consistently perform at a high level:
Clarify Goals and Team Purpose: A strong team stays focused when everyone understands the bigger picture and how their role contributes to overall success. Without clear direction, teams can become disconnected and inefficient.
Clearly define the team’s mission and key objectives.
Make sure each team member understands their role and how their work supports the team’s success.
Reinforce the team’s purpose regularly to keep motivation high.
Make Use of Your Strengths for Maximum Impact: A great team does not just divide up tasks; it assigns responsibilities based on what each person does best. When team members use their strengths, work is done more efficiently, and people feel more confident in their roles.
Identify each person’s strengths and assign responsibilities accordingly.
Pair team members with complementary skills to balance workloads and encourage collaboration.
Encourage team members to develop new skills that allow them to take on different roles when needed.
Use Open Communication to Connect Strengths: A team can only work at its highest level when members share knowledge and ideas freely. Leaders should encourage discussions, brainstorming, and open feedback to help team members build on one another’s ideas.
Promote transparent and honest conversations so that no one is left out of the loop.
Create opportunities for collaboration, such as regular team meetings or structured discussions.
Encourage active listening and meaningful feedback to strengthen decision-making.
Keep Roles Flexible to Strengthen Team Adaptability: A strong team isn’t a rigid team. Sometimes adjusting responsibilities helps the team function better. Cross-training employees so they can support one another allows for a stable team, even when challenges arise.
Encourage cross-training opportunities so team members can step into different roles when needed.
Be willing to adjust team responsibilities based on project needs or shifting priorities.
Promote a mindset where team members are open to learning new skills.
Solve Problems Together Instead of Working Alone: A team’s real power comes from combining different ideas and perspectives to find the best solutions. When people work in isolation, they miss opportunities to improve ideas through feedback and collaboration.
Encourage brainstorming sessions where all ideas are welcomed.
Seek input from different team members before making important decisions.
Ensure that every voice is heard, not just the most vocal members.
Promote a Culture of Continuous Learning: High-impact teams never stop growing. Encouraging professional development, mentorship, and knowledge-sharing helps team members expand their skills.
Provide mentorship opportunities where experienced team members guide others.
Support continuous learning by offering training and development resources.
Reinforce that mistakes are opportunities for growth rather than failures.
Recognize Contributions and Reinforce Success: Successful teams take time to acknowledge hard work. Recognizing contributions builds morale, strengthens relationships, and encourages people to stay committed to the team’s goals.
Celebrate team successes, both big and small, to reinforce positive behaviors.
Provide feedback that focuses on improvement rather than criticism.
Use past experiences to refine teamwork strategies and improve collaboration.
Strong teamwork is the foundation of any successful organization. When a team works with purpose, communicates effectively, and plays to each member’s strengths, they achieve more together than they ever could alone. But high-impact teamwork is not just about getting things done—it is about creating an environment where people can grow, contribute, and support one another in meaningful ways.
At MSS, teamwork is essential to keeping projects running smoothly and ensuring quality results. A team that works well together is more efficient, solves problems faster, and creates a better work environment for everyone. But teamwork alone is not enough—trust is what strengthens teams and makes them resilient. In the next session, Teamwork Through Trust, we will explore how trust allows teams to communicate openly, take risks, and work with confidence.
Reflection Questions:
What is one thing I can do this week to improve communication within my team?
In what ways do I contribute to teamwork, and where could I improve?
How can I support my teammates in playing to their strengths?
To push your understanding of High-Impact Teamwork to the next level, explore these valuable resources. They’ll help expand your skills and provide essential tools for building strong leadership.
Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni (2:10)
The Secrets of Great Teamwork
Harvard Business Review
The Importance of Teamwork (8:49)