Trust in building high-performing teams : conceptual approach

Abstract

Team building is one of the key factors of success in business. This study highlights the key elements of building winning teams, where trust is one essential building block and top-level sports teams serve as instructive examples. This study highlights earlier findings that revealed a strong connection between trust and high-performing teams. High-performing teams need talented people but also constant trust-based cooperation. Trust supports cooperative behaviour. Studies of top-level sports teams also emphasize the role of trust when building high-performing teams. This study is implemented using conceptual research in order to organize information related to the complex phenomenon of highperforming teams. The conceptual approach was chosen instead of empirical research due the lack of prior holistic research into high-performing teams including perspectives on trust and sports teams. A theoretical framework is proposed by analysing key characteristics and defining highperforming teams and related concepts. The framework highlights dimensions such as clear vision, trust and communication. Team member skill, motivation and responsibilities were highlighted, and respect and support were also addressed. Leadership is a critical dimension that includes clear roles, standards and goals. The proposed framework for building highperforming teams offers the basis for subsequent empirical research.