In the world of leadership, few goals are more coveted than building a high-performing team. But what does that really mean?
For me, a high-performing team is one that’s effective, efficient, and results-oriented. It’s not just about hitting metrics—it’s about a group of people who know what they’re aiming for, work together seamlessly, and consistently deliver real value. And yet, many leaders unknowingly sabotage this goal by doing one thing: micromanaging their high performers.
Micromanagement is often disguised as “being helpful” or “staying involved,” but it usually communicates a lack of trust. I’ve seen this firsthand. Leaders want results, but instead of enabling their people, they end up hovering—questioning decisions, redoing work, and bottlenecking progress. That’s not leadership. That’s fear wearing a headset.
When I set out to build a high-performing team, I knew I had to approach it differently. I focused on a few foundational behaviors:
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Consistent check-ins that built rhythm and trust
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Targeted coaching to develop skills and boost confidence
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Strategic delegation paired with clear expectations and accountability
This approach gave my team the space to own their results while still knowing I had their back.
So, what are the non-negotiables when building a culture of performance? Here’s my shortlist:
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Trust – Without it, performance plateaus.
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Experience – You have to have the right people in the right seats.
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Accountability – Performance thrives with clear, mutual expectations.
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Clarity – Your team should never be unclear about what’s expected.
If you’re a mid-level leader or executive aiming to elevate your team’s performance, here’s my best advice:
Invest in your people. Build genuine relationships. Give them stretch goals that challenge and energize them. Be available to support them—but resist the urge to hover once you’ve delegated. Trust breeds excellence.
If this resonated with you, share it with a colleague or team leader who’s trying to build better teams. And if you’re looking for coaching, workshops, or leadership development tools to help you do this at scale, check out my services at www.mcclurecoaching.com. Let’s build something high-performing, together.
Whenever you’re ready, here are four ways I can help you:
- The Magnetic Leader book– Grab your copy of my playbook to consistently attract and retain high-quality team members, customers, and clients.
- Magnetic Leadership video course – Learn the 18 Essential Actions to attract and retain high-quality team members. (Enter coupon code “MM50” at checkout to receive a 50% newsletter subscriber discount!)
- Magnetic Leadership Community – Join the community of growth-minded individuals focused on leveling up their leadership capabilities. (This is a monthly membership program that includes group coaching, expert interviews, the Magnetic Leadership video course, and bonus training)
- Magnetic Leadership Community for Teams – Enroll your team for an 18-month leadership development program that provides a common leadership language and helps foster a thriving, attractive culture.
