Key characteristics of successful teams

Many of us may think that if we lack talent in something, it means we were not born with it and therefore can never acquire it. Others believe talent has no meaning and everything can be learned. The truth is that we have more choice than we think, and reality often lies somewhere between these two beliefs.

🔷 This raises an important question: Can everyone build an excellent and effective culture within their team, or does it require a special talent? Where does great culture come from? How can it be created and maintained within a group? How can a team culture in need of improvement be identified and strengthened?

🔷 In a study called “The Good Apple,” conducted at the University of South Wales in Australia on various groups, results showed that a subtle pattern of behaviors mattered more than measurable abilities such as intelligence, skills, or experience. In this research, a person named Nick acted as the “bad apple” in each group, trying to inject behaviors such as irresponsibility, slacking off, discouragement, negativity, or foolish opposition. Most groups were affected by his behavior—until he joined Jonathan’s group, where a strong sense of psychological safety and cohesive communication prevented any disruption. Jonathan’s group succeeded not because its members were smarter or more skilled, but because the group felt safe—an environment Jonathan created through subtle behaviors like attentive listening, warm responses, calming interactions, and inviting others’ viewpoints.

🔹 For success in teamwork and healthy group interaction, managers do not need to imitate what great leaders typically do. They do not need to dictate tasks or take over others’ responsibilities. Even constant encouragement or pushing a specific viewpoint is not essential. What truly matters is that team members develop cohesive communication and each person feels a stable sense of safety and belonging—seeing the group almost like a family.

🔹 The issue is that before this study, researchers believed psychological safety was merely an emotional atmosphere with little importance. But the findings showed the opposite. Psychological safety is the foundation on which strong thinking develops. But where does this sense of safety come from? Highly successful groups share the same answer: they see their group as a family.

📕 From the book The Culture Code by Daniel Coyle

This post is also available in: Persian