| Inspiring Workplaces |
ISSUE 971 - May 10, 2023 |
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Six Habits of Inspiring, High-Performing Teams |
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High-performing teams don't happen by accident, even if you take them bowling on a regular basis (Not that I'm opposed to doing that. As a childhood bowling champ, I'm always in favor of adding bowling into the mix whenever possible.)
Building a high-performance team takes work. Every team member must take responsibility and be held accountable for how well they contribute to the performance of your team - we all know that it takes just one bad pineapple to bring down the entire performance of a team!
So on that note, here are six habits of high-performing teams.
1.They Do Everything on Purpose. Some research has shown the #1 most important trait of high-functioning teams is this: Every team member clearly understands what the purpose of the team is. Great teams relentlessly talk about and celebrate their purpose. (One study found that 7 out of every 10 team members on average doesn't truly understand their purpose, so this might be something you need to work on!)
2.They Huddle Up. Many of the most successful teams hold daily team huddles as a touch point: Same time, standing up, same place, set agenda and short and sweet (typically 5-10 minutes).
3.They Celebrate Milestones. They establish clear milestones and celebrate both individual and team milestones and accomplishments.
4.They Embrace Diversity. As the old saying goes, "If you have two employees who think alike, one of them is redundant!" Great teams aren't comprised of monolithic beasts where everyone thinks the same. The research is clear on this: Diverse teams are more innovative. Great teams shine when everyone understands what their unique role is and how they best contribute to the team. (So in fact, the research shows there really is an 'I' in teamwork.)
5.They Embrace Healthy Debate. A complete absence of conflict on any team can be a red flag. The absence of any heated debate or constructive conflict might reflect apathy on the part of team members, complacency with the status quo, or a lack of psychological safety that keeps employees from speaking up, resulting in dangerous group think. Conversely, great teams actively encourage healthy debate focused on the topics, never on
the personalities around the table.
6.They Have Fun! A study reported in Scientific America found that the most effective team meetings were those meetings that incorporated a lot of joking around and good-humored bantering. Fun, humor, and play all contribute to healthier, more positive team relationships, greater innovation, and less tension. And there's a rubber chicken and egg relationship here too: Humor helps foster a stronger team and it reflects a healthy, well-functioning team.
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Mike's Fun at Work Tip |
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One of my clients has a giant "Word of the Day" whiteboard where everyone is encouraged to write down one word that captures their mood, how they're feeling going into the day, or what the theme of the day will be for them.
You could also adapt this to have everyone wear a name tag identifying their word of the day, or use it as a quick meeting/team huddle icebreaker: It's a great way gauge how people are feeling going into a longer meeting!
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Deep Thought of the Week |
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"Studies show that if your parents didn’t have children there’s a high probability you won’t either!"
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Funny Business |
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As seen on a roadside sign for Affordable Automotive Repair:
"We offer gluten free oil changes!"
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Canada
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Copyright © 2023 Michael Kerr. All Rights Reserved.
mike@mikekerr.com
Suite #644, 104-743 Railway Avenue, Canmore, AB, T1W 1P2 |
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