Five Truths That Keep Teams Moving Forward
I was recently in Sydney for a client workshop. It was a grey morning, and before the session, I sat by the harbour with a tea, watching the movement around me. Ferries zipped between docks, massive cruise ship docked into port, and other vessels manoeuvring carefully—all different sizes, all with different destinations, yet somehow working together without crashing into each other.
It reminded me of the high performing teams I work with like a busy harbour, don’t avoid complexity—they navigate it. They communicate clearly, adjust to shifting priorities, and stay aware of the bigger picture. When teams struggle, it’s often because they’re moving in different directions without alignment, just like a boat trying to dock without checking the traffic around it. They are often not playing fully to their own strengths, let alone to the strengths of those around them.
Strong teams embrace five essential truths that keep them moving forward as according to Gallup. Here are some parallels and questions to ask yourself, your teams or the teams you with and in.
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Conflict Doesn’t Destroy Strong Teams Because They Focus on Results
Conflict in Sydney Harbour is inevitable—tides shift, ships cross paths, and conditions change. But what keeps it from chaos? A focus on movement and results.
In business, strong teams don’t let conflict derail them. They acknowledge differences, address them, and stay focused on the bigger picture.
Reflection Questions for Your Team:
- How does our team typically respond to conflict?
- What approaches have helped us stay focused on results when disagreements arise?
- In what ways can we improve how we give and receive feedback?
Try This: Use the SBI (Situation-Behaviour-Impact) Model to give constructive feedback that keeps conversations focused on outcomes. Instead of saying, “You’re being difficult,” try:
“In the client meeting (Situation), when you dismissed the new strategy without discussion (Behaviour), it slowed down our decision-making (Impact).”
Read this Blog to find out more.
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Strong Teams Prioritize What’s Best for the Organization and Then Move Forward
In a busy harbour, individual ships have their own goals, but they also follow a shared system—because the success of the harbour depends on everyone working together.
In business, strong teams put the greater mission first. They don’t waste energy on ego battles or departmental silos. They align on what’s best for the company and move forward together.
Reflection Questions for Your Team:
- How do we ensure our decisions align with the bigger picture?
- When faced with competing priorities, how do we determine the best path forward?
- What challenges do we face in working across teams or departments, and how can we overcome them.
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Members of Strong Teams Are as Committed to Their Personal Lives as They Are to Their Work
Sydney Harbour isn’t just about industry—it’s a balance of work and tourism. Always something going on, it’s a hub of commerce and transport and a place of leisure, where people relax by the water.
In business, high-performing teams recognize that people aren’t just employees—they’re whole human beings. When team members feel supported in both their work and personal lives, they bring their best energy to both.
Reflection Questions for Your Team:
- How well do we support each other’s life-work balance?
- What can we do to create a team culture where people feel valued beyond their work contributions?
- How do we check in on each other in a meaningful way?
Deep Dive: The Trust Conversation Guide can help teams build an environment where people feel supported in both work and life, like they have each other’s backs.
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Strong Teams Embrace Diversity
Sydney Harbour welcomes ships from all over the world—different sizes, different purposes, different journeys. That’s what makes it dynamic and thriving.
In business, strong teams value different perspectives, skills, and strengths. They understand that innovation and resilience come from diversity, not uniformity. Like a harbour, the more variety a team has, the stronger it becomes.
Reflection Questions for Your Team:
- How does our team benefit from the diverse perspectives and strengths of our members?
- In what ways do we encourage different voices and viewpoints in discussions?
- What could we do differently to ensure everyone feels heard and valued
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Strong Teams Are Magnets for Talent
World-class harbours attract world-class ships. Sydney Harbour is a destination—not just for travellers, but for businesses, investors, and opportunities.
In business, strong teams draw in top talent. When a team operates with trust, clarity, and momentum, people want to be part of it. Excellence attracts excellence.
Reflection Questions for Your Team:
- What makes our team a great place to work and grow?
- How do we support and recognize each other’s strengths and contributions?
- What steps can we take to attract and retain top talent?
I offer you the free Deep Dive Conversation Guides to explore how well your team and the teams you work with embraces diverse strengths and ideas. Topics on Communication, Trust, Collaboration and Breaking down Silos. All with suggested activities that are fun and easy to facilitate.
