Teams365 Blog - POTENTIALS REALIZED

#TEAMS365 #1836 – Productivity Tip #9- Amp up Your meetings

1/9/2019

Tip #9 – 8 Essential Meeting Questions

"The majority of meetings should be discussions that lead to decisions." -Patrick Lencioni

We can spend upwards of 40% of our time in meetings. Spending time to get focused on what make meetings work well can mean the difference between things getting done and decisions made, versus a sense that things were not working well.

In Effective Virtual Conversations, I shared 8 Essential Meeting Questions to ask at the start or end of any meeting. These include:

What’s the purpose?
What takeaways do we want?
Who needs to be on the call?
What preparation is needed for us to be most effective in the meeting?
What pace to do we want in order to keep it engaging?
What will help keep the focus?
What’s absolutely essential? (What’s essential, versus what will be nice to cover? If you can’t cover it, where can people go for more information around topics?)
What follow up might be required?

(Reference: Jennifer Britton, Effective Virtual Conversations, pp 304, 2017)

Meetings don’t have to be an ineffective use of time. In fact, a verbal meeting or call (face to face, or one held virtually) can replace a series of less effective emails.

Activity:
Consider the upcoming meetings you have. Work through the 8 Essential Meeting Questions. Note any changes you want to make.

What is working well about the meetings you hold?
Who do you need to be meeting more frequently with?
What meetings need to be retooled?
What followup would be more effective?
Are you always clear on next steps?
What meetings do you need to say NO to?

Track how much time you are spending in meetings on a regular basis. What changes would you like to make?

Conversation Sparkers:

What changes do you want to make to your upcoming meeting?
What changes do you want to ask your meeting participants to make?
What is your commitment to making meetings more effective this year?

Enjoy your conversations!
Best wishes,
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton – Potentials Realized
Leadership | Teamwork | Business Success
Author of multiple books including Effective Virtual Conversations (2017), Coaching Business Builder (2018) and From One to Many: Best Practices for Team and Group Coaching (2013)
Follow along with the #90DaysPlanDoTrack series over at Instagram @CoachingBizBuilder
Now available – PlanDoTrack Workbook and Planner - Order a copy today on Amazon

#TEAMS365 #1830- Team Building Tip #217

1/3/2019

Welcome back to the first Teams365 Team Building Tip for 2019. A reminder that every Thursday I include a question to bring into your weekly team or project meetings, to spark conversation. You can review the past 200 here.

The first question of this year gets you to think about, and be in dialogue around, the question “By the end of this year, we will…”. Take a few minutes in this first meeting of the year to discuss and dream. Capture your ideas, and perhaps take a photo of it which you can circulate and share with the entire team. As I have written in past blog posts, it is important to keep your vision visible throughout the year.

I’ve also made available in a digital license format a series of 56 Teams365 Team Sparkers. This brings together a majority of the first year’s weekly questions in a card format. You can purchase a hard copy set here, or order the digital set. The digital step includes a couple of bonus resources to make up 56 jpegs you can copy and paste into your presentations and meetings. Check out Volume 1 here which is bundled with the Conversation Sparker cards.

Enjoy the conversation!
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton – Potentials Realized
Leadership | Teamwork | Business Success
Author of multiple books including Effective Virtual Conversations (2017), Coaching Business Builder (2018) and From One to Many: Best Practices for Team and Group Coaching (2013)
Follow along with the #90DaysPlanDoTrack series over at Instagram @CoachingBizBuilder
Now available – PlanDoTrack Workbook and Planner - Order a copy today on Amazon

#TEAMS365 #1717 – Team Building Tip #200: What's going to help you to be successful?

9/13/2018

We are at a milestone of 200 Team Building Questions. Today’s question gets you to think about the question “What’s going to help you to be successful?”.

For the last 200 weeks I have brought you a different question each Thursday. My intention was to get you as a team into different dialogue.

As a former team leader myself, I know how challenging it can be to constantly be coming up with new questions to ask the team. That’s why I created the Teams365 Team Sparker Deck. Launched a few years ago, this 3.5 x 5.5 inch deck consists of 52 different questions (the first 52 in the series). Team leaders can pick a different card each week to share in their team meeting.

I’ve heard of teams using this as a wrap up question for the team to consider across the week, and other team leaders have indicated that they use it at the start of the week.
Pick up a copy of the Teams365 Team Sparker Deck – Tips 1 – 52 here.

The second Volume – tips 149 – 200 (the more visual cards) is going to be available in the next few weeks. Stay tuned!

Best,
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton
Potentials Realized | Effective Virtual Conversations | Coaching Team Leaders
We provide team and leadership development support through coaching, consulting and training services
Author of several books including the 2018 Coaching Business Builder Workbook and Planner & Effective Virtual Conversations (2017)
Email: info@potentialsrealized.com
(416)996-8326

#TEAMS365 #1716 –10 things to do with your team #3 (tips 6-7)

9/12/2018

We’re continuing to move along with more things you’ll want to focus on this fall with your team, to support them in getting results and building relationships. We know that teams which excel have strong relationships – they know who is who and who does what, what people’s strengths and prefeerenes are, and great teams are also good at getting results.

Area #6 – Building Connections Across the Team
It’s likely that your team composition may have changed at some point during the year. Does everyone know each other?
If you are looking for some quick icebreakers you may want to consider these resources:

Wilderdom’s Group Portal – including their index of different activities and resources. While this is incredibly vast, you may find some that pique your curiosity and can be adapted for your team. Check them out here.

BusinessBalls listing of a variety of exercises under the “recommended resources” column. Find them here.

Since 2005 I have hosted the Group Coaching Ins and Outs blog. One series I have focused on are different exercises and resources coaches will want to add to their toolkit. Take a look at these dozen plus posts here.

Using Visual Cards to spark conversation – The 40 Ways to Work with Visual Cards e-book, highlights 40 different ways you can use any visual card deck to spark dialogue and learning across your team. Pick up a digital copy of this resource at our website here.

Area #7 – Revisiting Your Vision and Making it Tangible
One of the most important things teams can do to create alignment in the fluid working space, it to have a shared vision. When did you last revisit your vision, and what you are aiming towards? Team vision statements can have different time windows, as well as formats.
This fall, you may want to dedicate some time in your team meetings revisiting your vision and making it tangible. In the realm of coaching, we work with our clients to create STRUCTURES. A structure is usually a visual or tangible item which serves as a reminder.
In working with your vision this fall, what’s the one way you can make it tangible?
Here are some ideas teams I have worked with, have created structures for themselves:

A photograph of the team vision/story line they have created together. This has been circulated and in one instance, became the screensaver for the team.
Using tinfoil, creating a solar system with each planet representing different elements, and milestones, of the journey.
Ringtones to remind the team of key taglines/mottos shaping their vision and aspirations.

What can you do to revisit or create your team vision for the fall, 2019 or the next fiscal cycle?
I’ll be back with more team activities ideas next Tuesday so stay tuned.

Best,
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton
Potentials Realized | Effective Virtual Conversations | Coaching Team Leaders
We provide team and leadership development support through coaching, consulting and training services
Author of several books including the 2018 Coaching Business Builder Workbook and Planner & Effective Virtual Conversations (2017)
Email: info@potentialsrealized.com
(416)996-8326

#TEAMS365 #1685: Sunday Video Reflection – Back to Work and Renewal

8/12/2018

Let’s take a look back at some past videos which relate to our topics of getting ready for the back to work, renewal and other topics.

Here’s one of last year’s videos – Creating Healthy Back To Work Routines which focuses on 5 different areas you will want to keep an eye on: Check it out here.

Four Planning Areas for Team Retreats - watch it here . Looking to plan a fall retreat? Get a head start and consider how you might incorporate some of these areas.

Fall Planning and Reflection: Check it out here. Take a look at this to get a head start on your fall planning.

As I wrote last week, I hope that you will consider how you can integrate one of these short videos (usually 2 minutes each) into your upcoming team conversations. Videos spark discussion and ideas in ways written word does not.

Enjoy!
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton
Potentials Realized | Effective Virtual Conversations | Coaching Team Leaders
We provide team and leadership development support through coaching, consulting and training services
Author of Effective Virtual Conversations (2017)
Email: info@potentialsrealized.com
(416)996-8326

#Teams365 #1619: Team Building tip #186: Conversations

6/7/2018

This week's Team Building Tips Question is #186 in the series. It gets you as a team to consider the question What's going to "make" the conversation?

We engage in conversation every day, but how productive, and impactful is it? Questions you may want to consider at the outset of every team conversation are:

What's our focus today?
What outcomes do we need from the conversation?
What's important for the person I am discussing with?/
What's the one thing I want to get across?

Enjoy your conversation!

Best wishes,
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton
Potentials Realized | Coaching Team Leaders
Team and Leadership Development | Coaching | Retreats.
Author of From One to Many: Best Practices for Team and Group Coaching (Jossey-Bass, 2013) and Effective Group Coaching (Wiley, 2009) and Effective Virtual Conversations (2017)
Follow us on Twitter @Teams365
Phone: (416)996-8326

Teams365 #1438: #FlashbackFriday: Mentoring: A Dozen Questions

12/8/2017

For the last two Fridays I have included It's Friday and time for another #FlashbackFriday. Recently I have been receiving a lot of questions around setting up a mentoring program, and what typical mentor conversation sound like. As such, I thought it would be useful to take us back to #Teams365 #582: Mentoring: A Dozen Questions.

Whether you are creating a formal or informal program, mentoring can be a valuable, and lower cost, development approach for your team, your staff and/or your volunteers.

While every mentoring relationship is different questions usually get the conversation started. Here are a dozen questions you as a mentor and protege may want to use as a conversation starter during your conversations

1. Tell me about a time when you learned the most?
2. What do you see as the most important skills for (insert job title)?
3. What are the activities I can undertake to learn skills in x?
4. What has been your biggest learning throughout your career
5. What do you see as new trends for our work/organization on the horizon?
6. How do you navigate work-life issues?
7. What advice would you provide about projects? On-boarding? Getting up to speed? Making new connections? Keeping stakeholders engaged (definitely not be asked in one breath!)
8. In order to make the move from job A to job B what do you see as needed?
9. What do you do to keep abreast of professional development/trends?
10. Tell me what you think is important with....
11. What's your most valuable lesson learned?
12. Now that you know me, what's the one piece of advice you would offer me....

I hope that you will consider incorporating these questions in your upcoming mentoring conversations.

Best wishes,
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton
Potentials Realized | Mentor RoadMap(TM)
Looking to spark more conversation with your team? Consider the Conversation Sparker(TM) Cards
Set up a conversation about how we can support you and your team best
(416)996-8326

#Teams365 #1122: Team Building Tip #120: Ingredients for a Successful One-on-One

1/26/2017

Last week I led a series of webinars on enhancing your leadership conversations. As I was mentioning, one-on-ones are one of a leaders most powerful tools in their toolbox.

Today's post looks at seven elements which makes a one-on-one really effective.

These are:
1. Listening - In a one on one conversation it is important to be listening on a number of different levels - from noticing body language and alignment with what is being said, to really seeking to understand and hear what the person is saying. So often in leadership conversations we are thinking about how we are going to respond and what will we say next that we fail to listen deeply. What do you notice about how you l listen in one-on-ones? What changes would you like to make?

2. Focus - We don't always have a lot of time in a one on one conversation so creating a focus for our time with our staff can be important. You may ask questions such as "What would you like to get out of our conversation today? OR "What would be a useful takeaway?"

3. Minimize Distractions - Creating a pause point can be easier in some contexts than others. Consider how you and your staff can minimize distractions during your 1-1s. This might include turning off your phones, moving the conversation out of the office or to a different floor. What will minimize distractions for you?

4. Use powerful questions - Powerful questions invite people to explore, expand or sometimes focus. Powerful question are open ended questions, inviting the staff you are talking with to elaborate and share their ideas. We can build trust by asking great questions to our staff and giving them time to speak and share. Note that WHAT questions are usually the most "powerful" in opening up the space for dialogue. WHY questions in low trust can put people on the defensive.

5. Suspend judgement - It is important to note how and where our judgements are surfacing and how even subconsciously our bias can come through. What do you need to do to become neutral or as unbiased as possible in your one-on-one calls? What happens when you are able to do this?

6. Watch body language - In face to face conversations body language can make up more than 50% of the message. What does your staff's body language say? How does this compare to what is being said?

7. Create an action plan - One of the reasons why I chose to do more training and have a focus on coaching almost a decade ago was because coaching focuses on having a "Conversation with intent" and having a specific action plan which we can loop back on. In your one on ones what are the next steps for the staff member? How will you check in together around these next steps?

What opportunities do you have coming up around one-on-ones? What notes do you want to make for yourself about important things to keep in mind?

Have a great Thursday,
Jennifer

http://ctt.ec/f9zVe

Jennifer Britton, MES, PCC, CPT
Potentials Realized - Leadership and Team Development, Coaching, Retreats
Author of Effective Group Coaching (Wiley, 2010) and From One to Many: Best Practices for Team and Group Coaching (Jossey-Bass, 2013)
Email us to find out how we can support you and your team in getting your best results through coaching, training or a retreat program
(416)996-TEAM (8326)

#Teams365 #1066: Team Building Tip #112: Resources

12/1/2016

Today's Team Building Tip gets you and your team in conversation about resourcing. What at the resources at your disposal you are not tapping into enough?

As I mentioned in yesterday's Teams365 A-Z of Team Development posts on Conversations, we often do not take enough time to pause and have strategic dialogue around what's working and what's not on the team.

Try to grab 10-15 minutes this week to explore the topic of resourcing for the team. This might include people -

human resources (for example mentors, subject matter experts, key internal or external stakeholders),
financial resources,
physical resources,
and digital resources

which would help you do your best work.

Also, as you consider 2017, what resources will help you move your projects ahead?

Best wishes,
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton, MES, PCC, CPT
Potentials Realized - Leadership and Team Development, Coaching, Retreats
Author of Effective Group Coaching (Wiley, 2010) and From One to Many: Best Practices for Team and Group Coaching (Jossey-Bass, 2013)
Email us to find out how we can support you and your team in getting your best results through coaching, training or a retreat program
Looking for more cool things to do with your team? Check out our Potentials Realized store for books, e-manuals, and the Conversation Sparker Cards.
(416)996-TEAM (8326)

#Teams365 #459: Conversation Sparker Card of the Week - Collaboration

4/4/2015

This week I've selected one of the more than 20 question cards which make up the Conversation Sparker Cards(TM) which I launched last April 2014. Today's card asks you to consider "Where do you need to collaborate?"

For most of us today, collaboration is essential as silos become more fluid and cross-functional and intra-team (across team) work becomes a reality. Collabration and partnerships are not always easy, and can benefit from some pre-planning, especially if the stakes are high or you will be needing to collaborate on a regular basis.

Collaboration and boosting our coaching skills to help team members collaborate more effectively was one of the many themes I was exploring with a group this week during a two day coaching and mentoring skills training program I was leading. As we discussed, collaboration is absolutely essential for not only ourselves as leaders, as well as the entire team.

You can read past posts I where I have addressed the topic of collaboration here at the Teams 365 blog.

Have a wonderful holiday weekend,
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton, MES, CPT, PCC
Potentials Realized
Author of From One to Many: Best Practices for Team and Group Coaching(Jossey-Bass, 2013) and Effective Group Coaching (Wiley, 2010)
Team and Leadership Development | Coaching | Retreats
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Everything DiSC® Authorized Partner
Contact us and let us know how we can support you in helping your team reach its' full potenial - (416)996-8326