Building the Foundation of a High-Performing Team
By Kraig Kleeman
Founder & CEO, The New Workforce
As an entrepreneur who’s taken several companies from the ground up to extraordinary heights, one thing I’ve learned is that a business is only as strong as the team behind it. A high-performing team doesn’t just happen by chance—it’s the result of intentional planning, strong leadership, and a commitment to excellence from day one.
Whether you’re building a startup, scaling an existing business, or assembling a new department, the ability to form and nurture a high-performing team can make all the difference in the success of your venture. But how do you create such a team from the very beginning? Here’s what I’ve learned from my experience in scaling companies and leading diverse teams.
1. Start with a Clear Vision and Purpose
Every high-performing team needs a compelling vision to unite around. This vision should not just be a vague statement of success—it should be a clear, motivating purpose that gives every team member a reason to be excited about the journey ahead.
As the leader, it’s your job to articulate this vision and make sure it’s understood by every member of the team from day one. The more aligned your team is with your company’s purpose, the more motivated they’ll be to push toward that goal.
How to Implement:
Communicate the Big Picture: Ensure that everyone understands the overarching mission, goals, and how their individual roles contribute to the company’s success.
Set Milestones: Break the vision down into achievable milestones that the team can work toward. This creates momentum and provides regular opportunities for celebration.
2. Hire for Culture Fit and Complementary Skills
You can have all the vision and strategy in the world, but if you don’t have the right people on your team, success will be difficult to achieve. When assembling a high-performing team, hiring for culture fit is just as important as hiring for skills.
Building a team of individuals who share your company’s values and work well together creates a cohesive unit that can weather challenges and work toward shared goals. Look for people who are not just skilled, but also enthusiastic, adaptable, and aligned with your mission.
How to Implement:
Define Your Core Values: Identify the core values that will guide your business and ensure that every new hire understands and embraces them.
Look for Complementary Strengths: Build a team with complementary skills rather than a group of people who are all good at the same thing. Diversity in experience, expertise, and perspective is key to innovation and problem-solving.
3. Foster Open Communication from the Start
High-performing teams excel in environments where open, honest communication is the norm. From day one, establish communication channels that allow for transparency and feedback. Encourage your team to voice ideas, concerns, and solutions—this fosters trust and helps solve problems quickly.
Effective communication means not just talking, but also listening. As a leader, you need to be approachable and available to hear your team out. When your team feels heard, they’re more likely to be engaged and contribute their best work.
How to Implement:
Set Expectations for Communication: Create guidelines for how your team will communicate, including the tools you’ll use (Slack, email, meetings) and the expected frequency of updates.
Lead by Example: Be open and transparent with your team. Share successes and setbacks, and encourage them to do the same.
4. Build Trust Through Accountability
Accountability is essential for any high-performing team. From day one, set clear expectations for individual roles, responsibilities, and deliverables. When everyone knows what’s expected of them and how their contributions fit into the larger picture, it builds trust within the team and increases their commitment to achieving shared goals.
Accountability doesn’t mean micromanaging. It means giving your team the resources, autonomy, and support they need to succeed while holding them responsible for their performance.
How to Implement:
Set Clear Roles and Responsibilities: Ensure everyone knows what their role is and what they’re responsible for from the very beginning.
Provide Regular Feedback: Provide positive reinforcement and constructive feedback to help team members stay on track and improve.
5. Create a Collaborative, Results-Driven Culture
A high-performing team isn’t just about individual achievements—it’s about working together to achieve a common goal. Foster a collaborative environment where team members actively support each other, share ideas, and contribute to each other’s success.
At the same time, it’s important to build a results-driven culture. Encourage your team to focus on outcomes rather than just effort. Set measurable goals and use data to track progress. This ensures that everyone is aligned and accountable for the success of the team.
How to Implement:
Encourage Team Collaboration: Organize regular brainstorming sessions and collaborative work sessions where everyone can contribute their expertise.
Celebrate Team Achievements: Recognize team successes, not just individual wins. This reinforces the idea that collaboration leads to the best results.
6. Provide Opportunities for Growth and Development
High-performing teams are made up of people who are always learning and growing. From day one, create an environment where continuous development is encouraged. When team members feel like they are progressing in their careers, they’re more likely to stay motivated and engaged.
Investing in professional development shows that you value your team and are committed to their success. Whether it’s through formal training, mentorship, or offering new challenges, make sure that learning and growth are a part of your team’s DNA.
How to Implement:
Create a Development Plan: Work with your team members to identify their professional goals and create a roadmap for how they can achieve them.
Offer Learning Opportunities: Provide access to training programs, conferences, or mentorship that can help your team members develop new skills.
7. Foster a Positive and Inclusive Work Environment
A high-performing team is one where everyone feels valued and respected. Create an environment that promotes inclusivity, diversity, and mutual respect. When people feel supported and respected, they’re more likely to bring their best selves to work and contribute to the team’s success.
This doesn’t just mean fostering diversity in terms of background and experience—it means creating a culture where everyone’s voice is heard, and all perspectives are valued.
How to Implement:
Promote Inclusivity: Make sure everyone has an equal opportunity to contribute, and encourage diverse viewpoints.
Create a Positive Atmosphere: Lead by example in fostering positivity. Encourage recognition, celebrate wins, and ensure that your team feels appreciated.
Conclusion: A High-Performing Team Is Built from the Ground Up
Building a high-performing team doesn’t happen overnight. It takes careful planning, clear communication, trust, and a commitment to continuous improvement. But with the right foundation in place from day one, you’ll have a team that’s not just capable but motivated, engaged, and ready to take on any challenge.
If you want your business to thrive, start by investing in your team. By focusing on culture, accountability, and growth, you’ll build a team that’s not just working for you—they’ll be working with you to achieve something extraordinary.
About Kraig Kleeman
Kraig Kleeman is a highly successful entrepreneur, author, and showrunner. If his accomplishments and aspirations were to draw inspiration from natural icons, he could be described as a fusion of Elon Musk’s visionary approach to business and Mick Jagger’s electrifying stage presence. He possesses keen business acumen and a flair for captivating performances that awe audiences.
Kraig’s entrepreneurial spirit is boundless, as evidenced by his track record of founding a tech company and taking it from nothing to $30 million in sales, in less than four years. His newest venture, CEO Branding Worldwide, is growing by triple digits, quarter over quarter. While some may liken his abilities to a Midas touch, others prefer to think of it as transforming companies into profitable ventures instead of turning things into gold!
