11 Things Your Team Needs to Win in Uncertain Times
As a CEO, I know firsthand that building a winning team is not just about assembling talented individuals; it’s about creating a cohesive unit that can navigate uncertainty and volatility with confidence and resilience. In today’s world, where economic shifts, political unrest, and rapid change are the norm, fostering a winning team is more crucial than ever. I want to share with you the eleven essential aspects that every winning team must embody to consistently succeed—especially in uncertain times. These are not just abstract ideas; each aspect comes paired with a practical tool or technique that you can implement immediately within your organization.
1. Complete Alignment and Collaboration Towards a Shared Vision
Winning teams are united by a clear, compelling vision and shared goals. Alignment means that every team member understands and commits to the organization’s direction, ensuring that efforts are synchronized toward common outcomes. Without alignment, teams can become fragmented, wasting energy on competing priorities.
From my experience, the most effective way to achieve this is to create a vivid three-year vision narrative, complemented by precise one-year goals. Surprisingly, over 95% of organizations fail to set goals effectively, according to research published in the Harvard Business Review. This lack of clarity undermines performance and morale.
The key is to have every team member physically sign off on the vision and goals. This simple act drives commitment and fosters collaboration. When people see their names on the agreement, it becomes a personal promise, strengthening their dedication to the collective success.
Practical Step:
· Develop a three-year vision narrative outlining your team’s future state.
· Set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals for the upcoming year.
· Host a team session where everyone reviews and signs off on both the vision and goals.
2. Unconditional Support for Each Other
A winning team thrives on mutual encouragement and assistance. Unconditional support means that every team member agrees to help others succeed, creating a safety net where challenges are faced together rather than alone.
One technique I’ve found invaluable is having each person write down not only their own goals but also how they will support others in achieving theirs. This documentation removes ambiguity and sets clear expectations about mutual contributions.
Research from Gallup highlights that teams with high social support experience 27% higher productivity. This ethos of support is fundamental to collective performance.
Practical Step:
· Ask each team member to document their personal goals.
· Have them specify concrete ways they will assist other team members.
· Review these commitments regularly to ensure accountability and reinforce support.
3. Long and Short-Term Reasoning and Decision Making
Balancing immediate needs with long-term goals is critical, especially in volatile environments. A winning team doesn’t sacrifice the future for quick wins nor delay action waiting for perfect conditions.
To manage this balance, I recommend visually mapping out how short-term decisions connect to long-term results. This ensures every choice is made with a clear understanding of its future impact.
A study in the Journal of Business Strategy emphasizes that organizations that integrate long-term strategic thinking into daily decisions outperform their peers by 24% in revenue growth.
Practical Step:
· Create a decision mapping chart that links short-term actions to long-term objectives.
· Require teams to explain how each decision supports the overall vision.
· Use this chart as a discussion tool during planning and review sessions.
4. Strategic Thinking and Quick Problem Solving
In uncertain times, the ability to swiftly assess situations and pivot strategically is a hallmark of a winning team. Problem-solving isn’t just about fixing issues; it’s about transforming problems into opportunities.
One powerful tool I use is the my Problem to Opportunity Template. This framework encourages teams to reframe challenges positively, fostering innovative solutions and strategic agility.
According to the Strategic Management Journal, companies that cultivate rapid problem-solving capabilities are 30% more likely to sustain a competitive advantage in turbulent markets.
Practical Step:
· Introduce the Problem to Opportunity Template during team meetings.
· Encourage teams to identify the root cause of problems and brainstorm potential opportunities.
· Implement solutions quickly and review outcomes to refine strategies.
5. 100% Accountability
Accountability is the backbone of execution. A winning team embraces 100% accountability for actions and outcomes, with zero tolerance for blame-shifting. This culture fosters ownership and trust.
To embed accountability, I recommend developing an accountability chart that clearly assigns responsibility for every key deliverable. This transparency eliminates confusion and finger-pointing.
Research by Forbes shows that teams with clear accountability structures are 50% more likely to meet their targets consistently.
Practical Step:
· Create an accountability chart detailing who owns each critical outcome.
· Discuss the chart openly to ensure clarity and agreement.
· Regularly review the chart to track progress and adjust responsibilities as needed.
6. Tenacious Execution
Ideas mean nothing without execution. Winning teams relentlessly pursue their plans, turning strategies into tangible results through disciplined action.
One of the most effective tactics I’ve used is implementing biweekly sprints. Every two weeks, the team convenes to review completed tasks, analyze obstacles, and commit to next steps with assigned responsibilities.
According to McKinsey & Company, organizations that adopt agile execution methods like sprints improve project success rates by up to 70%.
Practical Step:
· Schedule biweekly sprint meetings to assess progress and set priorities.
· Discuss what was accomplished, what wasn’t, and why.
· Assign clear ownership for upcoming tasks.
7. Clear Communication
Effective communication is the glue that holds a winning team together. It must be direct, mindful, and consistent to prevent misunderstandings and foster collaboration.
In today’s hybrid workplaces, combining verbal communication during virtual meetings with digital tools like Slack or Microsoft Teams is essential. Unlike email, these platforms offer searchable discussion forums and tagging features that maintain a clear trail of conversations.
The Project Management Institute reports that poor communication is the primary cause of project failure one-third of the time, underscoring the importance of mastering this skill.
Practical Step:
· Use video or virtual meetings for verbal updates and real-time discussions.
· Implement a dedicated digital communication platform with discussion forums.
· Train your team on best practices for clear, concise communication.
8. Creative and Innovative Approaches
Innovation drives progress. A winning team continuously generates new ideas and solutions aligned with the strategy. But having an idea bank alone isn’t enough; you need a formal process to evaluate, filter, and implement the best ideas.
Schedule monthly meetings to review the idea bank, discuss feasibility, and decide which initiatives to pursue. This keeps innovation alive and actionable.
According to MIT Sloan Management Review, companies with structured innovation processes achieve 30% higher revenue growth.
Practical Step:
· Create an idea bank where team members submit suggestions.
· Develop a process for evaluating and prioritizing ideas.
· Review the idea bank monthly to select and action promising innovations.
9. Confidence and Calmness
In volatile environments, a winning team maintains composure and assurance. Nervous energy can spread quickly, but calm, confident teams inspire trust and stability.
Two practical practices I’ve found invaluable are breathing exercises and mindfulness training. These techniques help individuals regulate stress and sustain focus.
Studies published in Frontiers in Psychology show that mindfulness reduces workplace stress by up to 30%, enhancing team performance during crises.
Practical Step:
· Train your team in simple breathing techniques to manage acute stress.
· Incorporate mindfulness sessions into regular team routines.
· Encourage leaders to model calmness, setting the emotional tone.
10. High Energy
Energy is the most critical resource for execution. Without it, even the best strategies falter. Winning teams maximize energy by understanding what energizes and drains each member.
The energy giver versus taker exercise is a powerful tool. Each person identifies activities or behaviors that boost or deplete their energy. The team then collectively commits to increasing energizing practices and minimizing energy drains.
The Journal of Occupational Health Psychology highlights that teams with high collective energy experience 20% higher engagement and productivity.
Practical Step:
· Have each team member list their energy givers and takers.
· Discuss findings as a group to identify patterns.
· Commit to incorporating more energy-giving activities into the team’s culture.
11. Adaptability and Resilience
The final hallmark of a winning team is adaptability—the ability to pivot without losing sight of the strategic vision. Resilience means bouncing back stronger after setbacks.
Interestingly, sports teams practice 85-95% of the time and compete 5-15%, whereas business professionals often do the opposite. This imbalance leaves many teams unprepared for sudden disruptions.
I’ve found that increasing practice through simulation exercises prepares teams for unexpected events, such as economic downturns or key personnel departures. These rehearsals build muscle memory for decision-making under pressure.
Research in the Journal of Applied Psychology shows that teams who regularly practice adaptability outperform rivals by 25% in crisis situations.
Practical Step:
· Schedule regular scenario-based simulations that test team responses to potential disruptions.
· Debrief after each exercise to identify lessons and areas for improvement.
· Encourage a culture that views change as an opportunity rather than a threat.
Conclusion: Leading Your Winning Team Through Uncertainty
Building a winning team capable of thriving in uncertain times requires intentionality, discipline, and a commitment to these eleven aspects. By fostering alignment, support, accountability, and adaptability—and by embedding practical tools like vision sign-offs, accountability charts, biweekly sprints, and simulation exercises—you can transform your team into a resilient powerhouse.
Remember, the volatile environment we face today demands more than just skill—it requires a winning mindset cultivated through practice, clear communication, and emotional intelligence. Implement these principles deliberately, and your team will not only survive but win consistently, no matter the challenges ahead.
As leaders, it’s our responsibility to nurture these qualities daily.
Which of these are you missing on your team?
Complete Alignment and Collaboration Towards a Shared Vision
Unconditional Support for Each Other
Long and Short-Term Reasoning and Decision Making
Strategic Thinking and Quick Problem Solving
100% Accountability
Tenacious Execution
Clear Communication
Creative and Innovative Approaches
Confidence and Calmness
High Energy
Adaptability and Resilience