We all want to work in a Thoughtfully Fit team, right? But let’s face it: even the best teams don’t always have a smooth ride. Sometimes, you’re cruising along and suddenly realize there are potholes—or gaps—you didn’t see before. And if you don’t spot and address these gaps, team success can feel like trying to finish a marathon with your shoelaces tied together.
Let’s look at how you can identify those sneaky gaps in your team and get everyone back on track toward team success. Here are four key gaps we see in teams.
1. Communication Gaps – Where Balls Get Dropped
Did you ever think someone else was handling a task, only to find out no one was? That’s what poor communication does to a team. Deadlines get missed, and projects spiral into chaos. A successful team needs clear, direct communication to keep everyone on the same page. Otherwise, it’s like playing a game where no one knows the rules. One minor miscommunication can snowball into major issues, resulting in frustration and wasted time.
Signs you’ve got a communication gap:
- Missed deadlines because of unclear instructions.
- Too many meetings, yet little gets accomplished.
- People nod their heads in meetings but leave with different ideas of what to do next.
How to close the gap:
- Create clear and direct communication channels.
- Gain an awareness of communication preferences, both your own and of others on your team.
- Use the 3 C’s of Balanced Communication.
A successful team knows that over-communicating beats under-communicating every time.
2. Accountability Gaps – Who’s Holding the Bag?
Accountability can be the invisible gap that silently sabotages team success. Without it, tasks go unfinished, and everyone points fingers when something goes wrong. It’s like playing hot potato, but the potato is responsibility, and nobody wants to be the one holding it.
Signs there’s an accountability gap:
- Tasks linger in limbo because nobody claims them.
- Mistakes happen, and everyone shrugs, “Not my job.”
- Feedback loops are nonexistent, leaving performance unchecked.
How to close the gap:
- Assign clear ownership and expectations for each task or project.
- Create a feedback-rich environment where mistakes are discussed and learned from.
- Ensure there are consequences for unfulfilled responsibilities (and rewards for getting things done).
A successful team holds each other accountable, but that doesn’t mean becoming the task police. Accountability is about helping everyone stay on track and focused, not pointing fingers.
3. Trust Gaps – The Elephant in the Room
Here’s a big one: trust. You can have all the talent, resources, and drive in the world, but if your team doesn’t trust each other, that’s a massive gap in team success. A lack of trust leads to defensiveness, lack of collaboration, and poor morale.
Signs there’s a trust gap:
- People aren’t sharing ideas for fear of being shot down.
- Team members avoid working together or hoard information.
- Decisions are questioned, and intentions are doubted.
How to close the gap:
- Foster open communication and create a safe environment for feedback.
- Build relationships through team-building activities or retreats.
- Encourage vulnerability by allowing people to share both successes and failures.
A successful team does not avoid conflict; it trusts enough to engage in healthy conflict. Think of trust as the glue that holds the whole operation together—everything falls apart without it.
4. Skills Gaps – Missing the Tools for Success
It’s not just about knowing how to do your job—it’s about being a solid team player, too. If your team is lacking critical skills, things can grind to a halt. Maybe someone’s excellent at the technical side but struggles to collaborate, or they have amazing ideas but can’t execute them. A successful team needs hard skills to get the work done and team skills like communication, adaptability, and conflict resolution to keep things running smoothly.
Signs you’ve got a skills gap:
- Tasks are frequently bottlenecked or delayed because critical skills are missing.
- Team members don’t collaborate well, causing friction and confusion.
- You often outsource tasks or rely on one person to handle specific areas.
How to close the gap:
- Conduct regular skills assessments to identify weaknesses.
- Provide training or upskilling opportunities to fill gaps – including for managers!
- Set up regular team-building activities to improve collaboration and communication.
A Thoughtfully Fit team isn’t just made of individual experts. It’s built on people who can work together effectively and adapt to challenges. Don’t let a skills gap hold your team back from hitting your goals.
Mind the Gaps
Identifying the gaps in your team can be the first step toward achieving team success. Whether it’s communication, accountability, skills, or trust, addressing these areas head-on can turn your team from functional to exceptional. Remember, no team is perfect, but with the right training and a few tweaks, a Thoughtfully Fit team is always within reach.
Looking for more information about team development? Check out our Leader’s Guide to Building Stronger Teams, or schedule a call with us today!
