Determinants of High Performance

Dr Calvin Morriss, a 7Futures consultant, is currently Head of Athletic Performance for England Rugby.

Calvin has spent over 30 years in elite sport. His roles have included, Senior High Performance Consultant for World Rugby, the sport’s international Governing Body, Head of Performance Support for British Cycling, Head of Speed and Power Sports for the English Institute of Sport, Head of Strength & Conditioning positions for England Rugby, Georgian Rugby Football Union, UK Athletics, & Great Britain Basketball. He was also part of the management for the Rugby World Cup winning 2003 England team. Calvin has attended 5 Rugby World Cups and 4 Olympic Games. He holds a PhD in Sports Biomechanics.”

Determinants of High-Performing Teams: Key Insights with Calvin Morriss

As part of my recent session, I’ve distilled the essential principles for building and sustaining high-performing teams drawn from my experience across elite sport. These principles are designed to help teams thrive in any setting, adaptable to the specific operating environment.

Leadership: Guiding Day-to-Day Performance

Effective leadership is the cornerstone of a high-performing team. It’s not just about setting direction but also inspiring, supporting, and empowering those you lead.

1. Set Clear Expectations

High-performing teams need clarity. This starts with defining specific, measurable goals for individuals and the team. Every member must understand their role in achieving shared success.

2. Lead by Example and Foster Accountability

Leadership is action-based. By demonstrating integrity and holding yourself accountable, you set the tone for others to follow. In turn, you create an environment where team members take responsibility for their own contributions.

3. Provide Continuous Feedback and Address Challenges Quickly

Feedback is one of the most powerful tools a leader has. Regular, constructive feedback reinforces what’s working and redirects what isn’t. Addressing conflicts promptly is equally critical—it maintains trust and keeps the team focused on their goals.

Lessons from Andy Farrell: Leadership in Action

Andy Farrell, Head Coach of Ireland Rugby, is an excellent example of leadership done well. His principles provide a roadmap for creating a cohesive, high-performing environment:

• Authenticity: “It starts with me. I have to be myself and believable.”

• Vulnerability: By showing vulnerability, he creates trust and fosters openness.

• Psychological Safety: He works to ensure his team members can be themselves and addresses barriers when they can’t.

• Encouraging Involvement: Andy expects his team to have opinions and actively encourages their input.

• Gratitude: He values contributions and ensures people feel recognised.

• Efficiency: Time is precious—feedback and decisions are streamlined for effectiveness.

• Empowering Teams: He ensures every team member takes responsibility for their performance and well-being.

These principles highlight the importance of being genuine, fostering collaboration, and creating a shared commitment to success—valuable lessons for leaders in any context.

Care and Capability: A Leader’s Cornerstones

When elite US military personnel and sports coaches were asked, “What do people want from a leader?” their responses were simple yet powerful:

• Care: Team members need to feel their leader genuinely cares about them—not just as professionals but as people.

• Capability: Leaders must also demonstrate the ability to help their team grow, learn, and succeed.

As a leader, it’s not enough to care—you must also make your team better. This dual focus builds trust, loyalty, and resilience.

Demonstrating care might mean a simple check-in or celebrating personal milestones, while capability could involve sharing expertise or equipping your team to succeed in challenging conditions. Leaders who consistently show both care and capability create an environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and driven to perform.

Followership - Mindset of Contribution and Collaboration to the Team

High-performing teams don’t rely on leadership alone—they’re fuelled by proactive, engaged followers who embrace their role in the team’s success.

• Open Communication: Strong teams thrive on honesty and constructive dialogue. Speak up, provide feedback, and discuss challenges openly.

• Proactive Collaboration: Success is never a solo effort. Be ready to share knowledge, support your teammates, and step up when needed.

• Adaptability: In any high-pressure environment, challenges are inevitable. Stay flexible, focus on solutions, and approach obstacles with a positive mindset.

Sustaining a High-Performance Culture

Creating and maintaining a high-performance environment requires deliberate effort and focus. It is also more likely when the aforementioned principles of leadership and followership are in place. Factors of a high performing culture include:

• Trust and Respect: These are earned through consistent, reliable actions that align with shared values.

• Diversity of Thought: Embracing different perspectives leads to stronger problem-solving and decision-making.

• Celebrating Success: Recognising both individual and team achievements—big or small—builds morale and motivation.

• Regular Check-Ins: Frequent touch-points keep everyone aligned and provide opportunities for real-time adjustments.

A high-performance culture isn’t built overnight. It’s created through intentional actions, shared values, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Closing Thoughts

To summarise, high-performing teams are defined by the synergy between effective leadership and proactive followership.

“High performing teams are driven by leaders who set clear goals, lead by example, foster accountability and who give continuous feedback and resolve conflicts swiftly. Followers embrace open communication, collaborate proactively, stay adaptable, and always focus on solving problems and supporting one another. These behaviours deliver a culture that feels energising and inclusive, where trust and respect are earned through action, and diverse perspectives fuel creativity. Everyone feels empowered to contribute and thrive.”

I hope this resource serves as a guide for building and fostering collaboration while aiming to achieve excellence—no matter where your team operates.