Dear Carolyn,

What does it really take to turn a group of talented individuals into a truly high-performing team?

In this episode of Beyond Your Best, I sit down with Alison Caldwell Johnson, a Better Your Best associate with over 25 years of leadership experience, to explore what separates good teams from great ones — and why it all comes down to time on the ball.

Together, we unpacked three essential habits of high-performing teams:

1. Alignment on the Real Problem – Before jumping to solutions, successful teams slow down to make sure everyone sees and agrees on the same problem to solve.

2. Balanced Focus – High-performing cultures celebrate wins and name what’s hard. They balance appreciation with honest reflection, avoiding both toxic positivity and constant criticism.

3. A Culture of Accountability – Accountability isn’t something you do to others — it’s something you build together. Teams thrive when expectations are clarified, negotiated, and revisited with care.

We also explore the role of trust, courageous conversations, and even AI in today’s workplaces — and why intentional “time on the ball” is what ultimately builds connection, alignment, and results.

What action steps can you take to get started now? 

• 🎧 Listen to “Time on the Ball: Building High-Performing Teams” now on your favorite podcast platform, and get ready to go Beyond Your Best.

• Before you dive back into your own team’s work, take five minutes to see where you stand.
👉 Try the High Performing Teams Self-Assessment — the same reflection tool I mention in the episode. It helps you identify where your team is thriving and where you might need a little more time, trust, or courage.

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