In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, the importance of building an exceptional work team cannot be overstated. A high-performing team can drive innovation, increase productivity and ultimately improve business outcomes.

As someone who’s both built great teams and failed at doing so, I understand teamwork’s critical role in achieving success. In this article, we’ll explore solid factors that contribute to building an exceptional work team and provide actionable steps to help you create a winning formula for your organization.

1. Establish a clear vision and purpose

The foundation of any successful team is a clear and compelling vision. This vision should define the team’s purpose and inspire and motivate its members. To create a strong vision, consider the following:

• Align the team’s goals with the organization’s mission and strategy.
• Ensure that every team member understands their role in achieving the vision.
• Communicate the vision regularly and consistently to maintain focus and motivation.

2. Recruit the right talent

An exceptional team consists of diverse individuals who bring unique skills, experiences and perspectives to the table. When recruiting team members, focus on the following:

• Look for candidates with complementary skill sets that will enhance the team’s overall capabilities.
• Consider cultural fit and how well a candidate’s values align with the organization’s.
• Don’t be afraid to hire people who may challenge the status quo, as they can often drive innovation and improvement.

Related: Diversity in the Workplace: Benefits and Why You Need It

3. Cultivate a culture of trust and mutual respect

Trust and mutual respect are essential elements of a high-performing team. To foster these qualities, consider the following:

• Encourage open and honest communication among team members.
• Create an environment where mistakes are seen as learning opportunities rather than failures.
• Recognize and celebrate the achievements of individual team members and the team as a whole.
• Address conflicts and disagreements promptly and constructively.

4. Emphasize effective communication

Clear and open communication is vital for any team to function at its best. To promote effective communication, consider the following:

• Provide regular opportunities for team members to share updates, concerns, and ideas.
• Implement tools and processes that facilitate efficient communication, such as project management software or team messaging platforms.
• Encourage active listening and ensure every team member feels heard and understood.
• Foster a culture of feedback, both positive and constructive, to help team members grow and improve.

5. Encourage collaboration and teamwork

Exceptional teams excel at working together to achieve their goals. To encourage collaboration and teamwork, consider the following:

• Assign tasks and projects that require cross-functional collaboration, allowing team members to learn from one another and build stronger working relationships.
• Create opportunities for team members to socialize and bond outside of work, such as team-building events or informal gatherings.
• Recognize and reward collaboration and teamwork in performance evaluations and promotions.

Related: Six Tactics To Improve Collaboration For Remote Teams

6. Provide opportunities for growth and development

To maintain a high-performing team, investing in your team members’ professional growth and development is essential. Consider the following:

• Offer training and development programs that align with the team’s and the organization’s needs.
• Encourage team members to pursue new skills and knowledge through conferences, workshops, and online courses, provide regular performance feedback and create individual development plans to help team members reach their full potential.

7. Set clear expectations and hold team members accountable

A high-performing team requires clear expectations and accountability. You can do this by clearly defining each team member’s roles and responsibilities and establishing measurable goals and objectives for the team to work towards.

Related: Set Yourself Up for Success By Setting Expectations

8. Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement

Exceptional teams are always looking for ways to improve and innovate. To foster this mindset, consider the following:

• Encourage team members to experiment with new ideas and approaches.
• Provide resources and support for team members to pursue innovative projects or initiatives.
• Recognize and celebrate successes, as well as learn from failures.

9. Be adaptable and resilient

Adaptability and resilience are crucial for any team in today’s fast-paced business environment. To develop these qualities, consider the following:

• Encourage team members to embrace change and view it as an opportunity for growth.
• Develop contingency plans to help the team navigate unexpected challenges or setbacks.
• Foster a culture of optimism and positivity, even in the face of adversity.

Related: Resilience Is One of the Most Essential Entrepreneurial Traits. Practicing This Can Help You Build It.

10. Lead by example

As a leader, your actions and behaviors set the tone for your team. To create an exceptional work team, lead by example and embody the values and attributes you want to see in your team members.

Building an exceptional work team takes care, emotional intelligence, and time. By focusing on these key factors and implementing the actionable steps outlined in this article, you can create a high-performing team that drives innovation, increases productivity and ultimately leads to better business outcomes — and better still, you’ll have amassed a group of genuine allies and collaborators.