Episode 169: 10 Leadership Behaviors That Set Great Teams Apart

Key Points

• Extraordinary teams don’t happen by accident.
  Zenger Folkman’s latest research shows that high-performing teams intentionally develop behaviors that build trust, clarity, and collaboration. These teams respond to challenges differently—and outperform others in both engagement and execution.

• Ten specific behaviors separate top teams from the rest.
  From empowered decision-making to proactive problem-solving, the data reveals ten key differentiators. These include strategic alignment, cross-functional cooperation, and a culture of recognition—all backed by statistically significant findings.

• Simple questions can reveal team health.
  Each of the ten behaviors can be assessed with a quick pulse-check question. Leaders can use these questions to gauge where their teams are thriving—and where they need support.

• Small changes lead to big impact.
  The episode shares actionable strategies for each behavior—ranging from goal alignment huddles to decision-making guidelines—that HR leaders and team managers can implement immediately.

• Team development is no longer optional—it’s a competitive advantage.
  While individual leadership development is critical, organizations that also invest in team-level development see greater returns. Zenger Folkman’s new product, The Extraordinary Team, helps teams assess, grow, and sustain high performance through a research-backed development experience.