It’s often said, “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.” But what if you want both speed and distance? The answer lies in being part of a high-performing team, where you can achieve both—and more. Even with my years of experience leading high-performing teams, I’m still constantly learning and trying to improve. If someone asks me about my leadership style, I respond, who am I leading? Your leadership style should adapt based on who you lead because everyone follows differently.
One of the major lessons I learned during Ranger School, also known as the toughest leadership school in the world, is that leadership is about service and sacrifice. Here is a short video in which Simon Sinek talks about the biggest factor for success in Navy SEAL training a willingness to serve.
Ranger School isn’t about learning advanced tactics; it’s about leading people through basic infantry tactics in the worst conditions imaginable. You learn to lead soldiers who are tired, hungry, and sometimes cold and wet, all without concern for your own comfort. The ultimate teammates put the team and mission ahead of their own needs.
Here’s a quick story about how I almost got into trouble at Ranger School. At the beginning of a training exercise, all MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) were rationed evenly between the squad. During one of our missions I was put in charge, a team members was missing one MRE. Knowing leaders eat last, I gave him one of mine, and I thought we would figure it out later. We got a random supply inspection and I was down an MRE (which was not good). To the Ranger Instructors, it looked like I had already eaten one of mine. I told them I gave it to one of my team members. When asked why, I simply said because I am responsible for my men eating first. The Ranger Instructor was a bit taken aback (and still upset as he is responsible for ensuring I eat, too.) After a bit of a reprimand, we continued and I passed that part of the mission. Sacrificing for your team is never the wrong move.
Being on a high-performing team feels like magic. Whether it’s a winning sports team, an elite military unit, or a business defying the odds, there’s something exhilarating about the synergy that comes with shared success. Even the greatest athletes have winning teams around them, on the field or off. Sure, there are plenty of star players who never tasted championship victory. Ask yourself: would you rather be a star player on a losing team or part of a star team? Because let’s be honest—if you’re on a losing team, you’re still losing. High-performing teams share some key traits that set them apart. Here’s what they have in common:
Service and Sacrifice
In Ranger School, you’re not always in a leadership position. So, how do you lead when it’s your turn? It starts when you put others first when you are not in a leadership position. Did you carry extra weight to lighten the load for someone else? Did you stay awake to keep watch while others slept? High-performing teams are made up of individuals willing to serve others before themselves. And when you do that, you build a team where every member is prepared to do their part when it matters the most.
Humility
The best teams are full of individuals with a beginner’s mindset. No matter how much they know, they believe there’s always more to learn—from each other, the competition, and the experience itself. As a leader, you must model this humility to encourage that culture of relentless learning. It’s okay to say, “I don’t know," but you should always follow up with, “… and I’ll find out.”
Resiliency and Grit
Optimism is the engine that powers resilience. Without it, no one would bother seeking a better future. High-performing teams are made up of individuals who face adversity head-on and keep moving forward, even after they hit the wall.
“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” — Winston Churchill
Angela Duckworth nailed it in “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance.” Grit is about resilience and perseverance, and it often trumps talent. In high-performing teams, sustained effort and dedication no matter how tough of circumstances are the true markers of success.
Comfort with Ambiguity
A high-performing team can operate without a roadmap. They’re comfortable navigating the unknown, making decisions with incomplete information, and trusting the process. You'll struggle here if you need everything to be black and white. Success often lies in the gray areas.
Bias for Action
High-performing teams don’t sit around waiting for perfect conditions or all the answers. They move, they adapt, and they make things happen. It’s about taking action, learning from it, and not being paralyzed by indecision.
Psychological Safety
For a team to truly thrive, its members must feel safe communicating authentically without fear of judgment. Vulnerability is not a weakness but a strength. If you’re afraid to speak up, you’re holding back the whole team. Psychological safety fosters innovation and growth.
Intellectual Honesty
High-performing teams don’t shy away from the hard truths. They confront uncomfortable realities and aren’t afraid to disagree directly if it leads to a better outcome. Especially as a leader, confrontation can be a powerful tool.
I recommend all managers read “Radical Candor” by Kim Scott. This is an excellent management book that emphasizes the importance of caring personally while challenging directly in professional relationships. This book provides a framework for effective communication that encourages honesty and openness, helping leaders and teams build trust, foster growth, and improve performance through candid feedback.
Conclusion
Being part of a high-performing team is about embracing these traits: humility, grit, comfort with ambiguity, bias for action, psychological safety, intellectual honesty, and a willingness to serve. When you combine all those traits, you get a team that not only goes fast and far but also can’t be stopped.
Also, Check out the Prof Z Project Library, where I have added a lot of resources (books, tools, articles, podcast, and video recommendations) for different topics such as entrepreneurship, leadership, operations, finance, personal development, real estate, AI, fintech and even health and fitness. It's a free resource, so enjoy a single location for useful things I have found. Send me a message with any suggestions to add to the library.
