®

Measuring
top team
effectiveness
Is your team performing as it should?

Dealing with the deficit: The top teams health check

To lead a successful change programme under public scrutiny, top
team cohesion is a must. Of our survey respondents, 58 per cent
believe their top team is not fully aligned – which is not uncommon
when compared to our research in other sectors. But this must be
addressed urgently for organisations to deliver.

©2011 Hay Group. All rights reserved Visit www.haygroup-bigsqueeze.co.uk for more public sector resources
2 Top teams health check

These six conditions, split into the three essential and three enabling conditions, when
present strongly increase the likelihood of having a great senior leadership team. Score
these aspects of team design to find out the strength and effectiveness of your top team.

Part one: The three essential conditions

These are the basic building blocks for a team. Together they provide the foundation
for great senior leadership teams.

How many of these conditions are present in your top team?

Yes 1. Defining the top team No

If each member of the team were asked to list the names of the other members of
the team, our answers would match.
All members would agree we have worked together for long enough to know one
another’s working styles and strengths.

Each member of the team shares responsibility for achieving our organisational
goal and we solve problems jointly.

We value and rely on each other’s skills and expertise.

Yes 2. Getting the right people on the top team No

Each member of the team sticks to the decisions made and agreed upon as a team.

Even when the team comes under pressure, team members do not forsake shared
accountability in favour of representing their area of the organisation.

Every person in the top team is a member because of what they can contribute
and not because of their job title. We feel that there is simply no need to appoint
new members just to ensure each part of the organisation is represented.

Yes 3. A clear purpose for the team No

If each member of the team were asked what our purpose is, our answers would be
virtually identical. There is no confusion about what we are here to do.

Our work as a team is stretching and challenging.

We can define exactly what results we can expect to see when we work together
successfully.

We know that the work of the team is consequential and that it has a significant
impact on our organisation and its people.

Total yes Total no

Results
If you Your score indicates that you may already experience how these three essential conditions are
answered more interrelated and iterative. For example, defining the team’s purpose guides the team’s direction well
YES than no enough for the team to move forward for a period of time. The top team may need to repeatedly
give its attention to the direction after consequent changes in membership are settled. Strengthen
these three essential conditions, in addition to considering the enabling conditions that will
facilitate your team’s effectiveness.

If you Your score indicates that getting the essentials in place for your team is important right now. The
answered more order in which you attend to the three conditions is of little consequence. What is important is that
NO than yes you establish all three conditions before you release the team to proceed with its work.

©2011 Hay Group. All rights reserved Visit www.haygroup-bigsqueeze.co.uk for more public sector resources
3 Top teams health check

Part two: The three enabling conditions

These conditions accelerate progress, improve effectiveness and help the team
achieve great results. These aspects should not be tackled until the essentials are
adequately in place.

How many of these conditions are present in your top team?

Yes 4. Clarity about expectations and accountabilities of the team No
Our organisation’s strategy comes first and tasks flow from it. As a result we find
our individual tasks are meaningful.
If each member of the team were asked to list the behaviours and rules governing
what may/may not occur during and outside of meetings, our answers would all
be identical.
We act as a team. We are loyal to and defend each other always.
We each treat our role as a team member as seriously as our individual
leadership role.

Yes 5. Developing the top team No

The team has access to all relevant information and resources it needs to
accomplish our goal and lead the organisation.
Team members have the necessary skills contributing to the team achieving its goal.
Team members are expected to develop the skills necessary for effective team
participation.

Yes 6. Top team cohesiveness / effectiveness No

We regularly devote our attention to reviewing how well the team is functioning.
We value how this allows us to consider ways that will make us more effective as a
top team.
The team welcomes and seeks team coaching and support in order to increase its
effectiveness.

Receiving feedback on how well the team is doing is seen as positive and not as a
potential threat or criticism.

Total yes Total no

Results
If you
Provided the essential conditions are present as a solid foundation, your score indicates your focus
answered more
as a team is to nurture the conditions in place and to keep them there. The benefits of having the
YES than no
six conditions in place are not only that immediate business decisions get made sooner and better,
but that the team becomes more capable over time.

If you The enabling conditions make it possible for a team to take full advantage of the solid foundation
answered more that has been created by the essential conditions. Although no one enabling condition is more
NO than yes important than the rest, it is helpful to work towards creating clarity about expectations and
accountabilities in your team before concentrating on the other enabling conditions.

To discuss your score or to find out how you can get these conditions in place, call Sharon
Crabtree on 020 7856 7163.

©2011 Hay Group. All rights reserved Visit www.haygroup-bigsqueeze.co.uk for more public sector resources
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Hay Group works with leaders to transform strategy into reality. We

develop talent, organise people to be more effective and motivate
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Our clients are from the private, public and not-for-profit sectors, and
represent diverse business challenges. For over 60 years, we have
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their organisation, and we do it in a way which delivers results and
real value. For more information please visit
www.haygroup-bigsqueeze.co.uk or telephone 0207 856 7000.

©2011 Hay Group. All rights reserved Visit www.haygroup-bigsqueeze.co.uk for more public sector resources