Why Your Team Isn't Efficient and How to Fix It

After 30 years of transforming teams, we’ve observed a few key trends that often plague inefficient teams. This valuable insight comes from our CEO, Lucy McGibbon, who has led countless organisations through successful transformations. Understanding and addressing these common barriers can help improve team dynamics, boost productivity, and ultimately drive success. Here are why your team isn't efficient and how to fix it.

1. Poor Leadership 

Problem: Leaders set the tone in teams, determine what's acceptable, and influence who thrives. A team leader who lacks emotional intelligence and empathy is unable to understand members of the team and struggles to connect with them. This creates disengagement, unresolved conflicts, and high turnover. It can harm both individual and team growth, creating a toxic work environment. 

Solution: Leaders must work to develop emotional intelligence and empathy. By understanding the challenges their team faces, they can provide better support and guidance, foster open communication, and resolve conflicts more effectively. Encouraging regular feedback, actively listening to team concerns, and offering constructive praise and coaching can also create a positive and productive environment. 

For more insights visit our other blog posts on leadership, Luck or Leadership: The Style Behind England's Euros Success.

2. Working in Silos 

Problem: Working in silos creates an unproductive and uncreative working environment, as it isolates teams, discouraging collaboration and communication. Without the cross-pollination of ideas, there are missed opportunities, duplicated efforts, and wasted resources. McKinsey & Company found that companies with effective communication and collaboration are five times more likely to be high-performing, creating a serious block to your business's growth. 

Solution: Encourage cross-departmental collaboration by establishing clear communication channels and promoting regular teamwork. Create opportunities for team members to share ideas and insights, whether through cross-functional meetings, collaborative projects, or informal brainstorming sessions. Breaking down silos fosters innovation, reduces redundancy, and improves overall performance. 

3. Not Being Able to Challenge One Another Without Conflict

Problem: This prevents open communication and the free exchange of ideas. Team members must choose between constructive discussions leading to conflict or not speaking up. Most people would prefer to stay quiet to avoid the conflict. Siffling innovation and critical thinking. Healthy debates and differing opinions are essential for problem-solving and decision-making. Without this dynamic, long-term teams may become complacent, accepting suboptimal solutions or ignoring potential issues. 

Solution: Create an environment where team members feel safe to voice differing opinions and challenge one another constructively. Establish guidelines for respectful communication, emphasising that disagreements are growth opportunities, not personal attacks. Encourage brainstorming sessions where all ideas are welcomed and emphasise that challenging each other leads to better decisions and stronger solutions. 

4. Lack of Respect 

Problem: Mutual respect is the foundation of strong teamwork. Lack of respect is a sign of bigger fundamental issues in a group. Lack of respect drops morale, and communication suffers, making collaboration feel forced. A direct aftermath is the tension that builds, making it harder to have open, productive discussions. Fostering a culture of understanding and respect towards team members strengthens relationships, helping members tackle challenges together and ultimately perform at their best. 

Solution: Foster a culture of mutual respect by recognising and valuing each team member’s contributions. Encourage active listening, empathy, and understanding. Team-building exercises, open communication, and acknowledgement of individual strengths can help create stronger bonds. When respect is at the core of your team culture, collaboration flourishes, leading to improved performance and a more harmonious work environment. 

By addressing these four common barriers, poor leadership, working in silos, lack of healthy challenges, and lack of respect you can create a more efficient, innovative, and cohesive team. With the right approach, your team can overcome these challenges and work together to achieve greater success. As Teamscapes has proven time and time again, transforming a team's dynamic is the key to unlocking its full potential. Find out more on how Teamscapes can help you achieve team efficiency here.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my team is working in silos?

If departments or individuals rarely collaborate, duplicate tasks, or lack visibility into what others are working on, you're likely dealing with siloed work. This limits innovation and slows progress.

👉 Want to dive deeper into team silos? Read Our Blog Does silo mentality sabotage your team?

What’s the fastest way to improve team communication?

 Start by creating regular opportunities for open dialogue — daily check-ins, shared goals, or even short team-building activities. Encouraging feedback and transparency builds stronger communication habits quickly.

Why is emotional intelligence important for team leaders?

Emotionally intelligent leaders can better understand their team’s needs, manage conflict, and inspire trust. This leads to better engagement, stronger morale, and higher performance across the team.

👉 Want to dive deeper into team silos? Read Our Blog Why emotional intelligence is so important in the workplace