The title of this article asks the question about the connection between career building and high performing teams. Here’s the answer, in a word, everything. Some may think of building one’s career as an egotistical endeavor as in the old trifecta of power, prestige, and profit. However, career building is important for both the organization and employees. Here’s why.

A recent study by the Society of Human Resource Management posits that one of the technical skills most lacking in the workplace is data analysis. In terms of soft skills there are even more missing pieces such as problem solving, innovation, creativity, the ability to deal with complexity and ambiguity, communication, and critical thinking. Having this bit of information begs three questions. First, why are these elements of critical thinking important to you and your team?  Second, why are they missing? Third, if they are important, yet missing, how do you ensure that your team has the critical skill of critical thinking?