The highest performing teams embrace remote work, seek out diversity and are open to innovation and new technologies such as AI, according to research by work solutions company Aquent Australia.
The annual Talent Insights survey results serve as a guide to employers, leaders and managers on how to build healthy and high-performing teams during a time of constant change.
The survey was conducted online in June/July 2023 and recorded responses from 5,431 marketing, design and technology talent from Australia (1,088), Canada, France, Germany, Japan, The Netherlands, United Kingdom, and the United States.
Remote work proves its benefits
While some business executives continued to push for a return to the office this year, the data is clear: teams who are given the freedom to work remotely ultimately perform better.
Talent Insights data reveals that 66% of remote teams are identified as high-performing versus only 47% of on-site teams. Remote work allows for fewer distractions, a healthier work-life balance, and more productivity.
The report also reveals a connection between remote work and diversity.
The data shows that 79% of remote teams seek diverse perspectives very or moderately well, compared to 61% of on-site teams. On-site mandates can limit diversity by alienating working parents, ethnically diverse employees and employees with disabilities.
Remote work creates more opportunities for everyone to feel valued and included in the workplace and, demonstrated by this survey, the highest performing teams are 15% more likely to seek diverse perspectives.
AI helps teams succeed
Talent Insights data reveals that 96% of high-performing teams are very or moderately effective at adapting to change and embracing innovation, compared to 73% of low-to-moderately performing teams. This indicates that teams are more successful when they are willing to take risks and try new things, including the adoption and implementation of AI tools.
While AI implementation is still in its infancy, this year’s Talent Insights data already shows that high-performing teams are more likely to be using AI tools.
41% of high-performing teams rated their team’s level of AI adoption as excellent or good, compared to only 26% for low-to-moderately performing teams.
While this data indicates there is a long road ahead for robust AI implementation, it is clear high-performing teams are early adopters of this technology.
John H. Chuang, founder and CEO of Aquent, said the company believes AI will enhance human talent and empower people to be more creative, agile and efficient.
“It is my sincere hope that companies across the globe will lean on these findings to better inform their workplace policies and decisions," Chuang said.
"Together, we can create a great place to work for all.”
The report also finds that high-performing teams vs. low-to-moderately performing teams are more likely to:
● Be connected to a company’s brand purpose (94% vs. 76%)
● Cultivate psychological safety and mental well-being (90% vs. 68%)
● Manage workplace stress and burnout well (82% vs. 59%)
The verdict is in:
Seek out diverse perspectives, allow employees to work when and where is best for them, and encourage them to embrace new technologies that make their work lives easier. This report serves as a resource to those looking to improve their workplace culture, policies, and decisions.
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