The Secret to Successful Teams

In today’s fast-paced world, teams are the backbone of any organization. Whether solving complex problems or driving innovation, a team’s success often boils down to one key factor: leadership. But what do great leaders actually do to help their teams thrive? Research offers clear answers.

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Building a Strong Foundation

First, context is important. Teams need to feel they’re working interdependently—whether by task or role. When this happens, the leader has more than twice the impact on team effectiveness. So, what makes a team interdependent? There are three basics:

1. Realness. That is, teams must be true teams. This means members must feel bound by something. Often, it’s a clear project, but it could also mean defined roles or stable membership. For instance, I might always crunch the numbers while you ensure the client stays happy. So, even without a specific project, we know how we work together.
2. Vision. The team needs a compelling goal. This should be challenging, clear, and meaningful. A shared vision bonds people and builds trust, showing we’re all working toward the same goal. Without a compelling purpose, people doubt others' motives when differences arise. With a shared vision, we become more forgiving of differing work styles and approaches because we know it's in pursuit of the goal.
3. Structure. The work must be designed for teamwork. If the tasks are more suited to individuals, the structure needs to reflect that. Otherwise, we get those dreaded meetings that should’ve been an email. Clear authority is also key—what decisions can the team make, and what are they accountable for?

When these elements align, teams are set to succeed. But research shows that how leaders engage with their teams matters—a lot.

The Impact of a Leader

Leadership isn’t just about giving orders or setting goals. It’s about creating a space where team members feel empowered, motivated, and supported. Research shows that how leaders interact—whether they focus on tasks or people—can greatly impact team success. There are two broad styles of leadership, each with different subcomponents which can affect how well a team performs:

• Task-Focused Leadership: Task-focused leaders ensure everything runs smoothly. They set clear goals, organize tasks, and keep the team on track. Studies link this style to how effective and productive teams feel. In fact, task-focused leadership explains 11 percent of how effective a team feels and 4 percent of how productive they are. Subcomponent activities include facilitating transactions, building team structure, and boundary spanning.
• Boundary Spanning: This style, often overlooked, involves leaders who are politically connected and can secure resources for the team. When viewed alone, this approach appears to be the strongest component to boost team effectiveness. In fact, it accounts for almost a quarter of perceived team effectiveness.
• Person-Focused Leadership: On the flip side, person-focused leaders build relationships and create a positive work environment. This approach has an even greater effect—13 percent on team effectiveness and 8 percent on productivity. More strikingly, it plays a massive role in team learning, accounting for 31 percent of how much a team grows together. Person-focused leadership includes transformational leadership, consideration, empowerment, and motivation
• Transformational Leadership: Transformational leaders inspire and motivate their teams. It's often seen as the gold star of leadership styles. And yes, it does account for most of the person-focused effect (11 percent of team effectiveness and 6 percent of productivity), however there is a stronger subcomponent.
• Empowerment: Empowerment is the real game-changer. Leaders who empower their teams—by coaching, giving feedback, and encouraging initiative—make the largest impact. Empowerment alone drives 31 percent of team learning, 22 percent of team effectiveness, and 10 percent of productivity, the highest percentage for any leadership activity.

While task-focused leadership is vital for getting things done, and person-focused approaches build a supportive, high-performing environment, empowering your team has the biggest overall impact. In a future article, I will unpack tips on how to empower your teams.

The Bottom Line

Leadership is crucial for helping teams reach their full potential. It’s not just about managing tasks but about inspiring, empowering, and supporting people. Leaders who understand this can create teams that are not just effective but exceptional.

As organizations evolve, leading teams well will only grow more important. By focusing on the right \ behaviors, leaders can ensure their teams thrive in any environment.