5 signs your team is underperforming (and how to fix it)

At Peas in a Pod Consulting, we’re all about helping businesses like yours thrive. We know that starts with having a team that’s happy, engaged, and operating at their natural best.

Sometimes, though, even the best teams and team members can hit a bit of a slump. So, how can you tell if your team might need a little extra support?

Here are five telltale signs:

1. They don’t trust each other or you.
   In teams where trust is low, people often keep their struggles to themselves and don’t ask for help. They’re worried about blame or what others will think of them. Ideas are met with scepticism and suspicion.
2. They avoid conflict but complain about each other.
   Teams that fear conflict often dodge tough conversations, leaving problems unresolved. Picture a meeting where everyone agrees with a plan, even if some have serious doubts, just to avoid a fight—only to moan about it later.
3. They aren’t committed
   When team members are disengaged, they might ignore decisions made in meetings or management instructions. After discussing a new approach, some might just go back to doing things their old way and not follow through.
4. They dodge accountability
   In teams that avoid accountability, people often don’t take responsibility or call each other out on mistakes and missed deadlines. If one person consistently turns in work late, others might grumble about it but won’t say anything directly to them.
5. They aren’t focused on results
   When personal tasks matter more than team goals, overall performance suffers. This focus on individual interests can get in the way of team members working together effectively towards shared objectives.

Do these telltale signs sound familiar? If so, you might have heard us bang on about this before. These are Patrick Lencioni’s 5 Dysfunctions of a Team, and they’ll pop up in any team, no matter how long they’ve been together.

The thing is, they’ll keep showing up if you’re not actively working to spot and tackle these issues.

To keep your team running smoothly, you need to make a consistent effort to manage your people proactively. It’s all about creating a highly functioning team of happy and engaged individuals.

Remember, even the best teams can hit a rough patch. But by keeping an eye out for these signs and addressing them head-on, you can help your team stay on track and perform at their best.

Don’t worry if you recognise these signs, we’re here to help!

Spotting these dysfunctions early on is key. Once you’ve identified the issue, it’s time to take action. Here are a few ideas to get your team back to their awesome selves:

• Create an environment where team members feel safe to share their mistakes and weaknesses. Encourage open discussions about personal strengths and challenges to promote understanding and support.
• Create a culture where team members can express their thoughts freely. Regularly check in with the team to ensure everyone feels comfortable sharing their views.
• Make it clear that differing opinions are welcome and necessary for good decision-making. Set ground rules for discussions that allow for respectful disagreement.
• Establish clear objectives that everyone understands and agrees upon. This helps ensure everyone is on the same page.
• Get team members involved in the decision-making process to increase buy-in. When people feel their opinions matter, they are more likely to commit to the final decisions.
• Set clear expectations for performance and behaviour, and regularly review these with the team. Encourage team members to hold each other accountable in a supportive way.
• Celebrate both individual and team achievements. Acknowledging hard work fosters a sense of accountability and encourages others to strive for excellence.
• Keep the team’s objectives front and centre in all discussions and meetings. Regularly track progress towards these goals and adjust strategies as needed.
• Recognising collective achievements boosts morale and reinforces the importance of working towards shared outcomes. Make it a habit to celebrate wins, big or small.

Ready to unleash your team’s full potential?

If you want to hear more on how to level up your leadership join our Lunch & Learn Webinar: Maximise Your Team’s Potential and discover how to cultivate a high-performing team with our “Culture Queen”, Kay Coombs.

She’ll share practical tips on meaningful performance conversations, optimising (not just managing) performance, and navigating tricky situations.

Plus, you’ll receive a:

• 1-2-1 meeting template
• Performance Management Guide,
• Free 30-minute performance health check!*

*We’ll take a close look at how you’re managing performance, from setting goals and gathering feedback to conducting reviews. This helps us pinpoint opportunities to boost effectiveness and offer tailored recommendations for improvement.

Limited spaces available, grab a cuppa and join us!