In this fast moving, ever changing world (and at the time of writing this we are in the midst of a pandemic and in our second full lockdown in the UK!), we can all be guilty of always moving forward and trying to do so at such a pace that not only do we burn out, but we risk burning out our teams too. So it’s critical to take some time to pause, reflect and plan.
Now you might be saying “yeah, yeah Sonia, but we just don’t have time”. Believe me when I say that this is a false economy. I know from bitter experience that not taking time to pause, reflect and plan can lead to so many problems down the line, that it actually will eat up all your time later.
You may be reading this at the beginning of the year but it really doesn’t matter because this can be done at any time. And in fact, I’d suggest that you start each quarter in this way.
Schedule some time to sit down with the whole team in celebration mode. Ensure that people know that they are coming to celebrate all that’s been achieved and to celebrate each other for the part they had to play. This means, do something to make it a celebration. Whether you take the Secret Santa approach and everyone gets something for someone else, or you as the team leader get everyone something small that is a personal way of recognising them. If you’re team is working remotely, plan this so that you can make sure that everyone sets up their space so that it looks and feels like a celebration: food, drink, party poppers! And send the gifts out to be opened at the meeting.
Then go through these 5 steps in the meeting:
- Successes
Talk about everything that went well, from the biggest thing to the very smallest thing. Make sure that everyone has something to add and that you go around the room at least twice – people have to think and delve a little more second time around but I assure you, if there’s no choice, people will find something to mention.
But don’t just make it a list of successes – make sure that everyone not only mentions the success, but also says what made it successful and what did we learn from it.
2. Failures and mistakes
Then do the same with failures and mistakes. What went wrong? Where did each of us mess up? What could we have done better. And again, what was the cause and what have we learned?
3. Fears
What am I afraid of? What are we afraid of collectively. Where do those fears come from? What can we do collectively to allay those fears?
4. Struggles
What am I struggling with? What is it stopping me from doing? Who can help?
5. Hopes and dreams
What do I hope for? What is my vision or dream? What do we hope for collectively?
It’s essential that as the leader of the team, that you go first when it comes to points 2 to 4. This will give everyone permission to be as honest and open as you dare to be, and I want you to dare greatly (in the words of Brené Brown!).
Do this well and this will set you up for an open, trusting relationship with your team with the beginnings of goals and a vision going forward taking with you all the lessons of the past year. Then all you have to do is:
- Execute and follow up
- Keep the essence of this conversation going
Tell me, when are you going to have the meeting? What might get in the way?
Comment below, I read every comment, promise! Or send me a message at sonia@soniagavira.com.
Speak soon
Sonia x
