Inspiring Workplaces 
The Way Work Ought to Be!

#1,060 - Feb. 26, 2025

A study led by Anita Woolley confirmed what several other studies have shown when it comes to what makes the best teams the best teams. Her research found these were the three most important traits of high-performing teams: 

1. The ability of all team members to participate equally. When team members are all given time to speak up, when there is a more equitable distribution of voices being heard teams perform better, they are more collaborative, and they generate better ideas. So, break groups into smaller groups to give everyone a bigger voice. Use a rubber chicken as a talking stick and pass it around the meeting table if you need to. Take the time to build safety at the start of your meetings so everyone feels comfortable speaking up! 

2. Higher team member scores on empathy tests. Collective empathy trumps collective intelligence. People feel safer speaking up in the presence of people who demonstrate elevated levels of empathy. 

3. The presence of women in teams. This is partly related to the fact that women tend to be more empathetic than men. Other research shows that diverse groups perform better when it comes to creativity and innovation because you're bringing different perspectives to all of your challenges and opportunities.