Build a High Performance Team

Most leaders agree that people are their greatest advantage.

Yet many organizations still rely on inconsistent hiring practices and gut feel decisions that lead to misalignment and missed potential.

Topgrading by Bradford Smart offers a disciplined and repeatable approach to building high performing teams. The book introduces a rigorous hiring and talent assessment methodology designed to dramatically increase the percentage of top performers in key roles.

At its core, Topgrading is about clarity and honesty. It emphasizes defining what success truly looks like in a role, conducting deep and structured interviews, and holding both leaders and candidates to a higher standard of transparency. The result is better hiring decisions and stronger long term performance.

Beyond hiring, the principles extend into leadership accountability and talent development. When leaders are clear about expectations and committed to talent quality, teams become more engaged, capable, and aligned with organizational goals.

At OPTIV, we have seen how Topgrading acts as a powerful complement to strategic planning and execution systems.

Strategy sets direction. Strong talent brings that strategy to life.

Without the right people in the right roles, even the best plans struggle to gain traction.

Topgrading is a reminder that growth is not only about better strategy. It is about building teams that are truly capable of delivering it.