Episode 158: 5 Ways to Build a High-Performance Team

The 90th Percentile: An Unconventional Leadership Podcast

Details

Building a high-performance team isn’t just about hiring the right people—it’s about leading them in the right way. In this episode of The 90th Percentile, we sit down with leadership expert Jack Zenger to uncover five key behaviors that separate exceptional teams from dysfunctional ones. Based on research from over 66,000 respondents, Jack shares insights into how the best leaders inspire their teams, foster psychological safety, set ambitious goals, communicate effectively, and build trust through consistency. If you’re looking to elevate your leadership and transform your team, this episode is packed with actionable strategies you won’t want to miss.

Key Learnings

• Inspiration Over Pressure Leads to Commitment
  High-performing leaders don’t just drive results—they inspire. By connecting daily tasks to a larger purpose, they tap into intrinsic motivation, making work more fulfilling and increasing commitment levels by up to five times.

• Psychological Safety Fuels Innovation
  Teams that feel safe to speak up, share ideas, and challenge assumptions are more innovative and effective. Leaders can create this environment by actively seeking diverse perspectives and normalizing open dialogue, just as companies like Google and Shopify have done.

• Stretch Goals Motivate, Not Overwhelm
  The best leaders set ambitious yet attainable goals, balancing challenge with support. Research shows that when teams are given meaningful stretch goals and the necessary resources, engagement and performance skyrocket.

• Over-Communication is the Key to Clarity
  Important messages need to be communicated repeatedly—sometimes up to seven times—to truly resonate. Leaders who strategically reinforce vision and direction across multiple channels, like Delta Air Lines’ Ed Bastian, create alignment and engagement across their organizations.

• Trust is Built Through Transparency and Consistency
  Consistency is the foundation of trust, especially in times of change. Leaders who align their actions with their words, admit mistakes, and encourage honest reporting—like Alan Mulally did at Ford—foster strong, resilient teams that perform under pressure.

Webinar

Zenger Folkman hosts an exclusive live webinar every month, where you can meet Jack Zenger and Joe Folkman and talk about their latest leadership development research. Find out more information and register here.

Research

5 Ways to Build a High Performance Team in Today’s Workplace– Article by Jack Zenger

The post Episode 158: 5 Ways to Build a High-Performance Team first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN.