How to Build a Great Team: Strategies for Long-Term Success

28 August 2025

How to Build a Great Team: Strategies for Long-Term Success

It’s no secret that a high-performing team is one of the most powerful assets a business can have. While products, services, and strategy all matter, it’s the people behind them who determine whether a business thrives or merely survives. Even the most promising organisations can falter if their team lacks the skills, cohesion, or motivation to deliver results.

So yes, building a great team is essential—but how do you actually go about it? Businesses that approach recruitment and team development casually often struggle to gain traction. In contrast, those that adopt a deliberate, strategic approach to hiring and managing people are far more likely to build teams that drive sustainable success.

Whether you’re a startup, assembling your first team, or an established business looking to strengthen your workforce, the following strategies offer a practical roadmap to help you build a team that performs, collaborates, and grows with your organisation.

Clarify What You Really Need

Hiring begins long before you post a job advert. The first—and arguably most critical—step is to define exactly what your business needs. This means going beyond generic job titles and thinking carefully about:

• The specific skills and experience required
• The type of personality and working style that would complement your existing team and help drive the business forward
• How the role contributes to your strategic goals
• What success looks like in the position

Even the most talented candidate may struggle if their strengths don’t align with the role or the wider team dynamic. Taking time to map out your needs ensures that every hire is purposeful and aligned with your business direction.

Strengthen Your Hiring Process

If new hires consistently underperform or leave prematurely, it’s worth reviewing your recruitment and onboarding processes. Many businesses rely solely on CVs and interviews, which can offer only a limited view of a candidate’s potential. To improve outcomes, consider incorporating:

• Behavioural and situational interviews
• Psychometric tests to gauge personality and cognitive fit
• Cultural fit evaluations to ensure alignment with your values
• Skills-based tasks or simulations relevant to the role

These additional layers of insight help you make more informed decisions and reduce the risk of costly hiring mistakes. A robust hiring process not only attracts better candidates but also sets the tone for a positive employee experience from day one.

Invest in Employee Wellbeing and Engagement

Hiring the right people is only half the battle. Retaining and empowering them requires ongoing investment in their wellbeing and engagement. Happy, supported employees are more likely to collaborate effectively, contribute ideas, and stay committed to your business. Key strategies include:

• Offering flexible working arrangements to support work-life balance
• Providing opportunities for professional development and career progression
• Creating open channels for feedback—and acting on it
• Recognising achievements and celebrating team successes

These efforts foster a culture of trust, belonging, and shared purpose. When employees feel valued, they’re far more likely to go the extra mile—not just for their own goals, but for the success of the team as a whole.

Summary: Building Teams That Drive Success

A great team doesn’t happen by chance—it’s the result of thoughtful planning, strategic hiring, and a genuine commitment to employee wellbeing. By clarifying your needs, refining your recruitment process, and investing in your people, you lay the foundation for a team that can grow with your business and help it thrive. Whether you’re scaling up or simply seeking to improve, these principles will help you build a team that’s not only capable but inspired.

Building better teams

If you want more resources for team building strategies, you’ll find more information and a wealth of practical resources, in our colossal Team Building Bundle.

Containing 240 pages and 50 tools, these are the 8 key guides we recommend to help you do more than define teamwork, build it!

Why is Teamwork Important
Build a Better Team
The Problems with Teams
Team Health Check
Team Building Exercises
Leading with Style and Focus
What’s the Problem?
Making Better Decisions