Healthy & Effective CxO Teams? It is crucial for the entire company!

"It is lonely on the top..." We hear this often about senior leadership teams; they are rather a group of successful individuals and are competing with each other.
Though, effectiveness for the top teams is essential for two reasons:

• The leadership team is not able to give their best
• They set an example of low effectiveness across the wider organisation

​Let's have a deeper look at this.

First, it is great to know that you are not alone. Many leadership teams struggle with similar challenges. Based on various research, we can identify common issues:

• Lack of Trust and Psychological Safety: A Google study identified that the most successful teams have a high degree of psychological safety, where members feel safe to take risks and be vulnerable in front of each other. A lack of trust can lead to withholding information, fear of conflict, and ultimately, suboptimal decision-making.
• Misalignment on Vision and Goals: When leaders are not aligned on the overall company direction and strategic priorities, it can result in conflicting messages, wasted resources, and a lack of focus across the organisation.
• Ineffective Communication and Collaboration: Poor communication within leadership teams can lead to misunderstandings, missed opportunities, and an erosion of trust.
• Unresolved Conflict and Tension: Unresolved conflict among leaders can create a toxic work environment, drain energy, and impede progress.

These issues are limiting the performance and creativity of our leadership teams. Unfortunately, it doesn't stop there! These misalignments and tension have a cascading effect and an impact on the entire company's performance:

• Decreased Employee Engagement and Morale: When leaders are not aligned and effective, it can create a sense of uncertainty and disengagement among employees, impacting productivity and retention.
• Reduced Innovation and Agility: Teams that are afraid to speak up and share new ideas are less likely to innovate and adapt to changing market conditions.
• Poor Decision-Making and Execution: Misaligned leadership teams can lead to poor decision-making, missed opportunities, and delays in execution.
• Damaged Reputation and Brand: Internal conflict and dysfunction can spill over and damage the company's reputation with customers, partners, and investors.

Though, not everything is bleak. You know me, I am looking at the positive side and we are here to support. There are simple ways to get started and invest some time & resources into creating cohesion and clarity:

1. Leadership Team Retreats: Create dedicated time for the team to reflect on their strengths and challenges and identify areas for improvement.
2. Observation and Retrospectives: Work with an independent advisor who pays attention to team dynamics in meetings, decision-making processes, and communication patterns.
3. Team Development Programs: Provide leaders with individual and team coaching to enhance communication, conflict resolution, and collaboration skills.

Develop your highly effective senior leadership team together with Hive17!

​Research Sources

• Google's Project Aristotle: A landmark study on team effectiveness that identified psychological safety as a key factor.
• Harvard Business Review: Numerous articles and research papers on leadership, team dynamics, and organisational performance.
• Gallup: Extensive research on employee engagement and its relationship with leadership.
• McKinsey & Company: Various publications and reports on organisational health and effectiveness.
• Center for Creative Leadership: Insights and resources on developing effective leaders and teams.