Teams365 Blog - Potentials Realized

#Teams365 #243: August Wrap-up

8/31/2014

As the month of August comes to a close:
What have been your major achievements?
What do you want to celebrate?
What do you need to wrap up?
What needs to get carried forward to next month?

A quick reminder that it's also a great idea to take 5-10 minutes writing down some of the significant events of the month - milestones, key projects, team member items. When it comes time to have your formal performance review, or you go to undertake your annual reporting, it can be very useful to have this information at hand.

Jennifer Britton
Potentials Realized - Leadership | Teamwork | Coaching Skills Training for Leaders
Supporting Team Leaders One Conversation at a Time(TM)
Join us for an upcoming Teams365 Team Leader Coaching Group
OR The next cohort of the Team365 Leader Foundations program which starts September 11
(416)996-8326

Schedule a 15 minute phone conversation about our fall programs here

#Teams365 #242: Trust Builder #8: Build Connection

8/30/2014

Over the past two weeks we have been looking at trust building behaviors team leaders, and team members, can undertake. Today we are at trust builder #8. Relationships and connection are key to building a high performance team culture. Without knowing who is who, and what each person brings, it is hard to create the knowledge and comfort needed in exceptional teams.

This year I've talked a lot about the importance of one on ones with your team members, whether they work in the same office with you or half the continent away, checking in regularly is key.

Trust in teams is also fostered when group members get to meet each other and know each other. For many ears I managed virtual teams, and it was critical that once in a while, sometimes only one a year or every eighteen months, we got together for a short while to work shoulder to shoulder. Bringing in people from almost ten different countries was not a small expense, but the productivity spikes which happened afterwards far outweighed the expense.

In today' s virtual world, many leaders use Face Time or Video Skype to "sit down" with their individual team members.

As you consider your team, what opportunities do you have for some "face time" with each other this year? Next year? How can they get to know each other beyond the pleasantries? How might a retreat (virtual or in-person) support the strengthening of connection, understanding of roles and what person does, and knowledge around how people prefer to work?

Jennifer Britton, MES, CPT, PCC
Potentials Realized - Leadership | Teamwork | Coaching Skills Training for Leaders
Supporting Team Leaders One Conversation at a Time(TM)
Join us for an upcoming Teams365 Team Leader Coaching Group
OR The next cohort of the Team365 Leader Foundations program which starts September 11
(416)996-8326

#Teams365 #241: Check it Off 4: Become RuthLess with Email

8/29/2014

It’s estimated that some managers spend more than 40% of their day dealing with email. How much time to do you spend each day on email?

The issue for team leaders can be more complicated, especially given the fact that some of your team members will prefer to be communicated to by email.

The challenge with email is not only the volume, but also the intrusion and constant interruptions it creates.

Several months ago I introduced the 4 D approach to time management - Do it, dump it, defer it, delegate it. Microsoft has also adopted this approach for email management.

Another email management tip is to set up filters so that certain emails are filtered out of your direct inbox. Perhaps these are informational pieces, or communications (hopefully not our blog updates!)

Finally, consider color coding your email, different colors for different projects, urgency or contacts. This may be really useful for those that are more visually inclined.

Finally, what would it be like to turn off email for even an hour so you can concentrate? What about unplugging on your weekends? As it turns out according to a study by Randstad quoted in Forbes, 42% of professionals feel compelled to check email while on holiday. What does that say? You can check out the Forbes article at http://www.forbes.com/sites/kathryndill/2014/06/17/youre-probably-checking-your-work-email-on-vacation-but-you-shouldnt-be-study-shows/ .

Have a great week!

Jennifer Britton
Potentials Realized - Leadership | Teamwork | Coaching Skills Training for Leaders
Supporting Team Leaders One Conversation at a Time(TM)
Join us for an upcoming Teams365 Team Leader Coaching Group
OR The Team365 Team Leader Foundations Cohort starting September 11
(416)996-8326

Teams365 # 240: Team Leader Trust Builder #7: Regular Communication

8/28/2014

Regular one on ones are key to success in high performing teams. Earlier this summer I shared a post on some of the questions you might want to incorporate into your one-on-ones. You can read that here.

Questions to consider:
When is the last time you were in contact with each team member?
How do they prefer to be communicated with? Phone? Email? Text?
Who needs a call this week?
What does each team members need from you at this moment?
What do you need to know from them?
What other information do you need to pass on?

Communication as a team leader also involves communication upward with your boss. Consider:
When did you last have a good "chat" with them?
What information do you need to update them on?
What information do you need from them?

Jennifer Britton
Potentials Realized - Leadership | Teamwork | Coaching Skills Training for Leaders
Supporting Team Leaders One Conversation at a Time(TM)
Join us for an upcoming Teams365 Team Leader Coaching Group
OR The next cohort of the Team365 Leader Foundations program which starts September 11
(416)996-8326

Teams365 #239: Team Leader Behavior 6: Clear Expectations and Communication

8/27/2014

Our sixth team leader trust builder is to ensure clear expectations and clear communication.

Clear, and shared expectations, set the foundation for success. What does "success" look like? What does quality work look like for the team? What time do people need to be at work? As small as the details may seem they are everything for success in a team, as we all bring different perspectives, and often, expectations.

As we get back to work in September what expectations need to be clarified, or revisited? Where has the team become lax? Where have you become lax as a leader?

Clear communication is also critical for building trust. As we've seen in other posts, each team member will appreciate communication in different ways. Some team members will appreciate the big picture, whereas others want clarity on the finer details. Some team members appreciate a phone call while others want a text.

What does clarity mean for you? Your team? Your own leader?
What is unclear to certain team members?
What needs shoring up?

Jennifer Britton
Potentials Realized - Leadership | Teamwork | Coaching Skills Training for Leaders
Supporting Team Leaders One Conversation at a Time(TM)
Join us for an upcoming Teams365 Team Leader Coaching Group
OR The next cohort of the Team365 Leader Foundations program which starts September 11
(416)996-8326

Schedule a 15 minute phone conversation about our fall programs here

TEams365 #238: Team Leader Trust Builder #5: Follow-up

8/26/2014

Follow-up and follow-through builds trust on a team, with team members as a team leader, and amongst team members.

What items need follow-up on your part - with your team? With your leader?
What items do you need to follow-up on?

Jennifer Britton
Potentials Realized - Leadership | Teamwork | Coaching Skills Training for Leaders
Supporting Team Leaders One Conversation at a Time(TM)
Join us for an upcoming Teams365 Team Leader Coaching Group
OR The next cohort of the Team365 Leader Foundations program which starts September 11
(416)996-8326

Schedule a 15 minute phone conversation about our fall programs here

#Teams365 #237: Team Leader Trust Builder #4 : Responsibility and Ownership

8/25/2014

Our fourth in the series of the Trust Building as a team leader is in taking responsibility and ownership of the results. It is important to take ownership when things go well as well as when mistakes happen.

It can be challenging to foster this as part of your team culture, taking ownership for mistakes individually and collectively especially if it is not being modeled in other parts of the organization.

Exceptional teams are clear on how they contribute and what they are responsible for. High performing teams take ownership of their achievements, contributions and also mistakes.

Jennifer Britton
Potentials Realized - Leadership | Teamwork | Coaching Skills Training for Leaders
Supporting Team Leaders One Conversation at a Time(TM)
Join us for an upcoming Teams365 Team Leader Coaching Group
OR The next cohort of the Team365 Leader Foundations program which starts September 11
(416)996-8326

Schedule a 15 minute phone conversation about our fall programs here

#Teams365 #236: The Inaugural Team Leader Breakfast Series Call on Team Culture

8/25/2014

Earlier this month I hosted the first Teams365 Team Leader Breakfast call, a monthly call I am hosting for new, aspiring and experienced team leaders. It's a short 30 minute calls which is part training (which is recorded) and part coaching (not recorded).

Our inaugural August call was on Culture, one of this month's themes here at the Teams365 blog. You can listen into this 21 minute recording here.

Please mark your calendar for the next call which will take place on Wednesday September 10th at 7:15 am Eastern/New York. This 30 minute call will be held at 1-857-232-0155, access 503003. No cost to attend other than your own long distance charges (it is a US based bridgeline). Can't make it? I will record it and post it at the new Team Leader Breakfast Series page shortly thereafter.

This is a taste of some of the topics we will be delving into this fall in the new cohort of the Teams365 Team Leader Foundations program , an eight month leadership development online program, and the Teams365 Team Leader Coaching Group. Both of these programs start during the week of September 10th.

Want to learn more about the programs and how it may benefit you and your leadership? Schedule a 15 minute call with me in the coming weeks to discuss.

Jennifer Britton
Potentials Realized - Leadership | Teamwork | Coaching Skills Training for Leaders
Supporting Team Leaders One Conversation at a Time(TM)
Author of From One to Many: Best Practices for Team and Group Coaching (Jossey-Bass, 2013)
Join us for an upcoming Teams365 Team Leader Coaching Group on Friday September12
OR The start of the next Team365 Leader Foundations Cohort on September 11
(416)996-8326

#Teams365 #235: Essential Leadership Book #3 : ALL In

8/23/2014

Over the last week or so I've been enjoying the book All In by Carrot Authors Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton.

The book dovetails nicely into our recent discussion about culture, engaging your team members, and stepping into your leadership.

I had picked up a copy at this year's ASTD Conference when I was speaking on Team and Group Coaching, and I definitely know I will be recommending it as a foundational read in our Teams365 Team Leadership Foundations Program, as well as to current leadership clients I coach with.

Visit their TheCultureWorks website here to read a description of their book.

Jennifer Britton
Potentials Realized - Leadership | Teamwork | Coaching Skills Training for Leaders
Supporting Team Leaders One Conversation at a Time(TM)
Author of From One to Many: Best Practices for Team and Group Coaching (Jossey-Bass, 2013)
Join us for an upcoming Teams365 Team Leader Coaching Group on Friday September12
OR The start of the next Team365 Leader Foundations Cohort on September 11
(416)996-8326

#Teams365 #234: Check It Off Tip #3: RAFTS

8/22/2014

Today's Check It Off tip is geared to help you clear off your desk, or your drawer! Even in today's digital age, paper clutter, and e-clutter bogs us down as leaders.

Years ago. I ran a program with former HGTV NEAT host, Hellen Buttigieg of WeOrganizeU to support professionals to get more organized. Hellen always shared this acronym of the RAFT in terms of dealing with paper clutter.

As you look at your paper touch it only once and decide if you are going to:
R- Read it
A- Act on it
F- File it
T - Toss It
OR
S - Shred IT

You may want to set up five separate baskets/in-trays so you can move it to the respective pile right away and keep moving it along.

I first heard about this tip from Hellen and I know others have written on it. Before you head out this week, block of 15 minutes and tackle that pile of papers!

Jennifer Britton
Potentials Realized - Leadership | Teamwork | Coaching Skills Training for Leaders
Supporting Team Leaders One Conversation at a Time(TM)
Join us for an upcoming Teams365 Team Leader Coaching Group
OR The Team365 Leader Foundations Module on Time Management starting August 7
(416)996-8326 - See more at: http://www.potentialsrealized.com/teams-365-blog#sthash.ovJgCZSl.dpuf