Your team might be dysfunctional if they talk behind each other's backs, a few dominate discussions or they constantly criticize each other, writes Jim Clemmer. Teams follow their leader, Clemmer notes, which means leaders must facilitate growth, teach their team problem-solving skills and get them to focus on common goals and values.

Put it into practice: Ward off team dysfunction by equipping leaders with the skills and resources they need, celebrating their achievements, meeting frequently and ending meetings by reflecting on what's going well, Clemmer recommends. "Highly effective teams balance doing their work or working IN the team with stepping back periodically to refocus and work ON the team."

Scott Harris, the president of baseball operations at the Detroit Tigers, was hired to make changes to the organization, so he did what John Baldoni says the best leaders do -- listen. The changes Harris made -- new showers, a new cafeteria and an improved workout room -- may seem like little things, but Baldoni writes that top players are drawn to places where they know leaders listen and act on their concerns.

Put it into practice: Leaders can emulate Harris, who visited all of the Detroit Tigers' training facilities and minor league parks, by going out of their way to listen to as many employees as possible and finding ways to address even their smallest concerns, Baldoni writes. "Part of listening means following the way of the gemba, the Japanese term referring to 'where the work is.'"

A leader who senses a project is veering off track but doesn't bring it up promptly with a frequently underperforming subordinate is doing both parties a disservice. "Bottom line: It's the leader's job to ensure progress, whether or not the subordinate is capable of generating that progress," management consultant Liz Kislik writes, suggesting ways to act early when the antennae go up.

Put it into practice: Use structural supports, and look for patterns, Kislik advises. Confront rather than avoid, and bring in HR if necessary to help with a difficult conversation about ongoing habits.

Sarah Franklin, CEO of Lattice, says she's planning to lead the human resources company to use AI to develop tools to help identify productive employees and reward them accordingly. "Work has become somewhere where it's the people who shout the loudest who are often rewarded the most -- while more hardworking employees go unnoticed," Franklin says.

Artist Simon Berger uses glass as his medium, which he painstakingly cracks with a hammer to create realistic portraits, including a 3D lion's head and other intricate installations. "Broken glass usually has a negative connotation, and through my art, I hope to inspire people to look past first impressions and discover new fascinating aspects," says Berger, who posts photos of his creations on Instagram.

Dysfunctional teams are the bane of every leader. You want to be able to give assignments and projects to teams and let them take the lead, but, as Jim Clemmer notes, when they're busy undercutting each other, their success isn't guaranteed.

Clemmer is right that the leader sets the tone. If you haven't equipped your team with the skills and resources they need, they'll develop bad habits such as sniping at one another and not recognizing their common goals or values. It's up to leaders to chart that course for them. John Baldoni's story about the Detroit Tigers' president of baseball operations, Scott Harris, holds clues for what leaders need to do more of—listening.

Follow Harris' lead and begin to listen closely to the concerns of your team. Acting on things that seem like a minor concern can go a long way toward boosting morale and creating an atmosphere of collegiality where every team member can thrive and the whole team can succeed.

If this newsletter helps you, please tell your colleagues, friends or anyone who can benefit. Forward them this email, or send this link.

What topics do you see in your daily work that I should know about? Do you have praise? Criticism? Drop me a note. And don't forget to send me photos of your pets, your office and where you spend your time off.