Six Characteristics of a Good Team 

# A clear sense of purpose. The team has an overriding common aim that all are striving for. No individual is putting their own aims above the common aim. Where the team is part of a bigger organisation the team’s aim aligns with the organisations priorities and purpose.

# Diversity is welcome and celebrated. Every team member is appreciated, all are valued. The different members of the team support each other.

# Trust. There are high levels of trust amongst team members. The kind of trust that allows team members to be vulnerable and honest with each other. Consequently they are able to say when they need help, if they are struggling and when they mess up to say sorry.

# Has access to the necessary resources. All teams needs certain resources to work with to fulfil their task. This might be finance, time, equipment and so on. A team requires a leader who sees it as his or her role to ensure the success of the team through providing the necessary resources.

# The whole team supports the decisions. Because of the Trust that exists good teams can reach decisions through robust options evaluation, where there can be challenge and disagreement. However once the decision has been made all buy in to it and actively supports it. There are no internal politics. When something doesn’t work out as planned you never here “ well I never did think it was a good idea “.

# Accountability. Not accountability to the boss but accountability to each other. Because of the clear sense of purpose and the commitment of each team member to this they will hold each other to account for their behaviours and values.