How to Build a Team That Performs When It Matters Most

We recently had the pleasure of hosting an engaging and insightful conversation on our podcast with the remarkable Jill DePompei Morales, an expert in organizational development and team building at eBay. Jill shared invaluable wisdom on the art of building high-performance teams, and we couldn’t wait to pass along these game-changing insights to our valued subscribers like you!
In this episode, Jill illuminated the key ingredients that transform ordinary teams into extraordinary forces of collaboration, innovation, and achievement. She artfully conveyed the importance of trust, vulnerability, and purpose in creating a high-performance culture that drives sustainable success.
We all know that leadership is more than just a title or a position—it’s about inspiring and empowering individuals to reach their full potential. Jill’s extensive experience as the Organization Development/Team Development Lead at eBay has given her a unique perspective on what it takes to nurture a culture of excellence and unlock the true potential of teams.
Here are some of the captivating highlights from our conversation with Jill:
- Trust: The Foundation of High-Performance Teams Jill emphasized that trust is the cornerstone of any successful team. Without trust, collaboration falters, and progress stalls. She shared practical strategies for building trust, such as fostering open communication, promoting transparency, and actively listening to team members’ perspectives. By cultivating trust, leaders create an environment where team members feel safe to take risks, share ideas, and push boundaries.
- Embracing Vulnerability: The Catalyst for Growth In the realm of leadership, vulnerability often gets a bad rap. However, Jill passionately spoke about the transformative power of vulnerability in building high-performance teams. By embracing vulnerability, leaders create a space where authenticity, empathy, and genuine connections flourish. It encourages team members to share their fears, challenges, and aspirations, leading to increased collaboration, innovation, and overall team performance.
- Purpose: The North Star of High-Performance Teams A team without a clear and shared purpose is like a ship without a compass. Jill emphasized the significance of defining a compelling purpose that resonates with every team member. When individuals understand how their work contributes to a larger mission, their motivation soars, and their commitment deepens. Jill shared practical insights on how leaders can help individuals discover their purpose and align it with the team’s overarching goals.
- Progress through Incremental Steps Jill drew parallels between coaching college athletes and building high-performance teams. She highlighted the value of taking an incremental approach to progress, where small victories and continuous improvement are celebrated. By breaking down big goals into manageable milestones, teams experience a sense of accomplishment and momentum, propelling them forward toward even greater achievements.
We invite you to tune in to our podcast episode with Jill DePompei Morales and immerse yourself in this fascinating conversation. Prepare to be inspired, challenged, and equipped with actionable strategies to unlock the full potential of your team!
🎧 Listen to the podcast episode here:
As always, we value your feedback and would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Share your key takeaways, aha moments, or any questions you may have by replying to this email or leaving a comment on our social media channels. Let’s continue the conversation and learn from each other!
Thank you for being part of our growing community of aspiring leaders and change-makers. Together, we can create a world where high-performance teams thrive, accomplishments soar, and individuals reach their fullest potential.
Stay tuned for more exciting episodes and expert insights coming your way. Remember, your leadership journey is just getting started!
Speak soon,
Jimmy
If this sounds like your week
Your managers are not the problem. They are where the problem is stuck.
When your last leadership spend was signed off, did anyone go back to those managers' bosses and ask what changed? That question is the JBL Outcome Standard, and it is how I work.
- Find the friction. A short diagnostic that shows which decisions are stalling, and at what level.
- Am I the bottleneck? Ten questions on where your week is actually going.
- How I work with GMs. Six weeks, one hour a week, up to twelve of your managers, scored by their own bosses.
- Beat Burnout, Boost Performance. The book.
- The High Performance Leader podcast.
Managers I work with reclaim around four hours a week, and their bosses score the change 8.75 out of 10. Would it be a crazy idea to find out how we did this? Book a scoping call.
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Questions managers ask about this
How can I build trust within my team effectively?
Building trust starts with open communication, transparency, and active listening. Encourage team members to share their perspectives honestly and create an environment where they feel safe to take risks and voice ideas. This foundation allows collaboration to thrive and progress to be made without hesitation or fear of judgment.
What role does vulnerability play in team leadership?
Vulnerability in leadership helps create genuine connections among team members. When leaders show authenticity and empathy, it encourages others to share challenges and aspirations openly. This openness fosters collaboration and innovation, improving overall team performance by making it easier to address issues and support each other.
Why is defining a clear team purpose important?
A clear, shared purpose aligns everyone’s efforts and motivates the team. When individuals understand how their work contributes to a bigger mission, their commitment deepens, and their drive increases. Leaders should help team members identify this purpose and connect it to the team’s goals for sustained focus and energy.
How can I encourage steady progress in my team’s performance?
Break large goals into smaller, manageable milestones and celebrate these incremental achievements. This approach builds momentum and a sense of accomplishment. Continuous improvement through small, consistent steps helps maintain motivation and creates a clear path forward, making big objectives less overwhelming and more achievable.
Hear this discussed on the podcast
Episodes of The High Performance Leader that cover the same ground.

Jimmy Burroughes
FounderFormer British Army officer and corporate GM who has transformed 3,000+ managers into leaders across 30+ organisations. Creator of the Simplify to Amplify methodology, author of Beat Burnout, Ignite Performance, and two-time Global Recognition Award winner.
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