7 Traits of High-Performing Acquisition Teams

Working on a high-performing team can be one of the most enjoyable and rewarding work experiences in any career field. Since integrated product teams plan and execute our acquisition programs, acquisition results will improve if we develop better performing teams. While the environment in defense acquisition is fast paced, highly pressured and often filled with chaos, it also provides many opportunities for teams to innovate and excel. So, what factors separate the best teams from others and how do we grow high-performing teams?

I previously discussed negative team behaviors in an article titled “The Seven Lethal Acquisition Diseases” (Defense AT&L, January–February 2017). With each of the seven diseases, I identified preventive medicine to help avoid them. The remedies have links to many of the positive aspects associated with high performing teams. Building on these positive team traits can help teams avoid the poor behaviors. However, even high-performing teams occasionally will have members who succumb to these and other negative behaviors we called diseases. The teammates must hold each other accountable when this occurs to get behavior back on track.