When your team work in perfect harmony, amazing things happen. Whilst we know CEOs who fly can have more successful innovation outcomes, we also know some of the most impressive displays of teamwork are the RAF Red Arrows. We heard first-hand from former Red Arrow 9, Dan Lowes, on how the 9-aircraft display team come together as a single unit, and have been performing spectacular aerobatic shows since 1965. The Red Arrows display exceptional team cohesiveness, precision and discipline; all qualities that make them a stellar example of a high-performance team. Here’s an insight into 5 key lessons learned from the Red Arrows, on how to build extraordinary teams within your company…

Teams thrive off regular change

All 9 Red Arrows pilots are enlisted on a three-year long tour with the team, after which they return to their normal RAF duties. As such, up to three new pilots are selected per year at the end of the display season to replace those who have finished their three-year allocation. In addition to the introduction of new recruits, all existing pilots (except for Red 1) adopt a new position within the team and commence training in their updated formation. In this way, the teams are regularly refreshed with new talent and existing team members are challenged to adopt a different role and put their skills to the test.

I believe there’s no bigger barrier to performance than becoming too comfortable in your role.

This continuous cycle of renewal maintains the high-performance element of the team – I believe there’s no bigger barrier to performance than becoming too comfortable in your role.

…but teams also need an established team leader

Whilst bringing in new blood to the team is important, team performance is also highly dependent on stability; as such, although 8 of the pilots rotate positions on an annual basis, Red 1 maintains their leadership position year on year as they have the knowledge, skills and, most importantly, the experience to coordinate the pilots and ensure that the life-threatening stunts are performed safely.

No matter how high-performing, teams still require consistent guidance to ensure standards are met and momentum is maintained: Stable and reliable leaders are essential for driving team success.

No matter how high-performing, teams still require consistent guidance to ensure standards are met and momentum is maintained: Stable and reliable leaders are essential for driving team success.

Don’t forget or underestimate the role of your support teams

Whilst the Red Arrows aerobatic team is directly comprised of 9 pilots, there is a technical support team of over 100+ highly trained professionals working behind the scenes to ensure peak performance and safety; without whom the display simply could not go ahead. For instance, each pilot is accompanied to and from display airfields by a member of the Circus Engineers, a small group of specialist engineers who also have the responsibility of servicing the aircraft before and after the display. There’s also the all-important Dye Team, who monitor and replenish the diesel and dye mix in the aircrafts. Not only is the colourful smoke a fantastic visual element of the display but is also a crucial safety element that allows Red Arrow 1 to judge wind speed and direction.

The lesson? Whilst flying high, don’t forget who’s on the ground supporting you. An effective organisation not only nurtures their front-line team, but also fully appreciates their support team, who provide the foundation and underlying support network.

Recruit selectively & don’t neglect cultural fit

To be considered for membership of the elite Red Arrows team, RAF pilots must meet the following rigorous criteria:

  • Classed as being ‘above average’
  • Completed an operational tour
  • Have a minimum of 1,500 flying hours under their belt

This level of selectivity not only ensures that the most talented of pilots are chosen for the job, but also emphasises the exclusivity and elite status of the high-performance team, reinforcing the value of their unique talent. The barrier to entry also serves to reduce external threats to the team, ensuring that team members feel the psychological safety to flourish and thrive in their role.

Part of the rigorous recruitment process also includes an evaluation of their social skills and suitability to the team; so, whilst qualifications are necessary, don’t underestimate the importance of a candidate’s cultural fit for your organisation and values.

Fail fast and learn fast

Following each training session and display, the Red Arrows go through a rigorous debriefing session where team members review video footage of their aerial manoeuvres and are highly-critical of their performance, identifying key areas for improvement and learning opportunities. It’s essential to create a team environment whereby members aren’t afraid to make mistakes and learn from them quickly; regular debriefing and peer reviews must form an essential part of team activities. This will reinforce minimum expected standards, hold members accountable for their actions and encourage continuous improvement cycles.

So, if you’re looking to build high-performance teams within your organisation, look to the Red Arrows as a top example of how crucial team work is.