Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT a quality of high-performance teams?

1. Clear shared goals

2. Psychological safety

3. Functional size greater than 10 people

4. Diverse backgrounds

The correct answer is: Functional size greater than 10 people

High-performance teams are characterized by several key qualities that enhance their effectiveness and productivity. One of these qualities is having a clear shared goal, which ensures all team members understand the objectives they are working towards collectively. Additionally, psychological safety is essential, as it allows team members to express themselves freely without fear of judgment, promoting open communication and collaboration. Diverse backgrounds among team members contribute varied perspectives, fostering creativity and innovative solutions to problems. However, a functional size greater than 10 people is not a characteristic of high-performance teams. Typically, smaller teams are more manageable and allow for better communication, quicker decision-making, and stronger interpersonal relationships. Research in team dynamics indicates that teams of around 5 to 9 members tend to perform best, as they can balance diverse viewpoints without becoming unwieldy or losing cohesion. Therefore, having a team size that exceeds 10 members can often lead to inefficiencies and diluted accountability, thereby detracting from the team's overall performance.