At InitiativeOne, we believe that great teams aren’t just built—they’re cultivated through intentional leadership and a culture of trust, accountability, and purpose. Yet even the most talented teams can struggle to reach their potential due to hidden barriers and unproductive behaviors. These obstacles often go unnoticed, quietly eroding trust, hindering collaboration, and derailing progress.
Transformational leadership begins with identifying and addressing these behaviors. By fostering transparency, mutual respect, and accountability, leaders can guide their teams to break free from these patterns and unlock their full potential. At InitiativeOne, we’ve worked with organizations across industries to identify and resolve the behaviors that hold teams back, helping them build cultures of high performance and resilience.
Identifying Behaviors That Hinder Team Success
Unproductive behaviors don’t appear out of nowhere; they often stem from underlying issues such as misaligned priorities, poor communication, or unresolved conflicts. While these behaviors may seem small in isolation, their cumulative effect can significantly impact team dynamics and performance. Below are some of the most common behaviors that hold teams back, along with actionable insights for overcoming them.
1. Avoiding Accountability
When individuals or teams avoid taking responsibility for their actions, it creates an environment where blame and excuses thrive. According to a study published in the Harvard Business Review, teams with high levels of accountability are 50% more likely to meet their performance goals compared to teams with low accountability. Accountability is the foundation of trust and performance. Without it, teams struggle to achieve their goals and maintain alignment.
Leaders who model accountability—owning their mistakes and taking responsibility for outcomes—set the tone for the entire team. When combined with clear expectations and constructive feedback, accountability creates a culture of trust and continuous improvement.
2. Communication Breakdowns
Communication breakdowns are one of the silent killers of team performance. These can include unclear expectations, passive-aggressive interactions, or withholding important information. Patrick Lencioni, author of The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, emphasizes the importance of communication: “Great teams do not hold back with one another. They are unafraid to air their dirty laundry. They admit their mistakes, their weaknesses, and their concerns without fear of reprisal.”
Leaders who foster open, transparent communication ensure that teams can align their efforts and proactively address challenges. InitiativeOne’s Executive Coaching program equips leaders with the tools to enhance communication skills, encouraging authenticity and clarity in every interaction.
3. Resistance to Change
Change is inevitable, but resistance to it can paralyze a team. Whether driven by fear of the unknown, complacency, or a lack of trust in leadership, resistance to change hinders growth and innovation. A report by McKinsey & Company highlights that 70% of organizational change efforts fail, often due to employee resistance and lack of management support.
Leaders who acknowledge the challenges of change and support their teams through transitions create resilience and innovation. InitiativeOne’s Leadership Foundations program teaches leaders how to foster adaptability and turn change into a growth opportunity.
4. Lack of Trust
Trust is the glue that holds teams together. Research from Google’s Project Aristotle identified psychological safety—the ability to take risks without fear of judgment—as the top factor in successful teams. When trust is absent, collaboration suffers, and team members may default to protecting their own interests rather than pursuing shared goals.
Leaders can build trust by modeling vulnerability, admitting mistakes, and consistently demonstrating integrity. Our Leadership Culture Bootcamp focuses on developing self-awareness and emotional intelligence to help leaders create high-trust environments.
5. Hidden Agendas and Drama
Below-the-surface drama, such as gossip, cliques, or personal agendas, quietly derails team cohesion and productivity. These behaviors distract from organizational goals and create divisions within the team. According to CPP Inc., workplace conflict costs businesses $359 billion annually in lost productivity.
Leaders must proactively address these dynamics by fostering a culture of transparency and mutual respect. InitiativeOne’s Organizational Discovery process uncovers hidden barriers, helping organizations realign around their shared mission.
Sacred Cows: Challenging the Status Quo
One of the most significant barriers to team success is the presence of Sacred Cows—outdated processes, traditions, or norms that are rarely questioned but no longer serve the organization. Sacred Cows stifle innovation and waste valuable resources by perpetuating inefficiencies simply because “we’ve always done it this way.”
For example, Netflix’s decision to shift from DVD rentals to streaming required dismantling legacy systems that no longer aligned with their evolving purpose. This bold move, cited as a pivotal moment in business innovation, underscores the importance of questioning long-standing norms to embrace growth opportunities.
At InitiativeOne, our Organizational Discovery process helps teams identify their Sacred Cows and determine whether these practices support or hinder success. Addressing Sacred Cows requires courage and collaboration, but it paves the way for innovation and progress.
Elephants in the Room: Confronting Unspoken Issues
Just as Sacred Cows hinder innovation, Elephants in the Room—unspoken but widely known issues—can quietly derail team dynamics. According to CPP Inc., 85% of employees experience conflict in the workplace, and unresolved issues cost businesses billions annually. These Elephants thrive in silence, creating tension and eroding collaboration.
Leaders must create an environment where these issues can be openly discussed and addressed. In our Leadership Foundations program, we teach leaders how to facilitate courageous conversations that uncover the root causes of these Elephants. By addressing them head-on, leaders can resolve tension, rebuild trust, and create a culture where difficult topics are no longer avoided.
Why InitiativeOne? Transforming Behaviors to Unlock Team Potential
The good news is that these behaviors, while harmful, are not insurmountable. At InitiativeOne, we specialize in helping organizations identify and transform the behaviors that hold their teams back. Through our leadership development programs, we empower leaders to build high-trust cultures where accountability, communication, and collaboration thrive. Our process is designed to create real, sustainable change—turning barriers into opportunities for growth and success.
Every leader wants their team to thrive, but the first step toward transformation is recognizing the hidden behaviors that may be holding your team back. These unspoken challenges—Sacred Cows, Elephants in the Room, and other unproductive dynamics—often go unnoticed until they disrupt progress. At InitiativeOne, we help leaders uncover and address these barriers, but self-reflection is the crucial first step. Consider these questions as you evaluate your leadership and team dynamics:
Sacred Cows: Are You Holding Onto Outdated Practices?
Sacred Cows represent long-standing processes or traditions that no longer serve their purpose but remain unchallenged. Ask yourself:
What processes or traditions do we follow simply because “we’ve always done it this way”?
Are there inefficiencies or redundancies in our workflows that haven’t been addressed?
How often do I, as a leader, challenge outdated practices or encourage innovation?
Elephants in the Room: What Issues Are Being Avoided?
The unspoken, widely known issues within a team can quietly undermine trust and productivity. Reflect on these questions to uncover the Elephants:
Are there conflicts, concerns, or tensions in the team that no one talks about?
Do team members hesitate to provide feedback or voice their opinions?
What am I avoiding as a leader, and how might addressing it strengthen my team?
Accountability: Are You Modeling Responsibility?
Accountability is the foundation of a high-performing team. Without it, progress stalls, and trust erodes. Consider:
Do I set clear expectations for my team and follow through on commitments myself?
How do I respond to mistakes—do I foster a culture of learning or one of blame?
Does my team understand what success looks like, and are they aligned with these goals?
Trust and Psychological Safety: Does Your Team Feel Safe to Take Risks?
Trust is essential for collaboration, creativity, and resilience. Reflect on the trust levels within your team:
Do team members feel safe to express ideas, admit mistakes, or share concerns?
How do I, as a leader, demonstrate vulnerability and encourage open dialogue?
Are there micromanagement tendencies that may undermine trust and autonomy?
Communication: Is Your Team Aligned and Clear?
Clear communication is the bridge that connects team members to shared goals. Think about:
Do I communicate expectations, goals, and priorities with clarity and consistency?
Are there recurring misunderstandings or conflicts caused by unclear messaging?
How do I encourage open communication and ensure everyone’s voice is heard?
Take Action: Start the Conversation
Reflection is a powerful tool, but action is where transformation begins. As you consider the questions above, identify one or two areas where change is needed and commit to addressing them. Start small—perhaps by calling out a Sacred Cow in your next meeting, or by initiating a courageous conversation about an Elephant in the Room. These steps may feel challenging, but they’re essential for building a team culture defined by trust, accountability, and growth.
At InitiativeOne, we specialize in guiding leaders through this process. Whether it’s uncovering hidden barriers, fostering psychological safety, or redefining accountability, our leadership programs are designed to create lasting transformation. With our proven strategies and tailored approach, we’ll help you create a culture where your team can achieve extraordinary results.
Contact us today to learn how InitiativeOne can help you eliminate barriers, foster trust, and transform your team into a high-performing force for success.