​As I’ve been leading different types of conversations in the last few weeks through small group coaching, leadership training and keynotes, I have noticed that the conversation and focus is changing for many team members and leaders right now. In addition to thinking about what needs to get done, I’m also hearing a lot of leaders (and their teams) starting to look at opportunities for the new year.
 
Given that every week I am talking across a range of leadership and teamwork topics, I hear a wide variety of different areas, and key themes.
If I had to identify five that I have been hearing a lot of opportunities  around for the new year it would be:
​
Getting better at hosting meetings. Think about how much time you have spent in meetings this week? This month? How many were face to face? How many were virtual? How effective were they? What would have made them more effective? Spending time getting better at meetings?
Building in more time for strategic thinking and action. With technology has helped us get better at so many things, and does make it easier, distraction and focus are key elements for business success in an ever-changing environment.
Scheduling in time for what’s important – Making sure we have the important items in our calendar and can get them done when we have energy. Daniel Pink’s book WHEN takes us into the realm of WHEN it is important to get things done. Circadian rhythms have been researched for many decades now, and many of us may be aware of what time of day is really best to get certain tasks done in. With the shift to mobile and remote work, many of us now have more flexibility in terms of how we operate and when we schedule our tasks.
Getting better at knowing our strengths and styles – Some of my favorite days are spent with teams who are learning more about their strengths and styles, interfacing this with helping them understand more about team effectiveness. I am pleased to continue to be able to offer support for teams, groups and individuals around strengths and styles. Whether we are exploring the DiSC together or StrengthsFinder, these are powerful frameworks which help to support individuals “lean into” what they naturally do well during times of change and uncertainty.  Change and uncertainty is the new norm for so many workplaces today.
 
Where do you want to put attention around for 2019? I hope that you will grab 15 minutes right now to make some notes for yourself and/or to schedule it in for focus. As Drucker wrote “What doesn’t get scheduled, doesn’t get done”.
 
With best wishes,
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

​This week’s FlashbackFriday post takes us to the territory of two past posts which explored the teamwork skills of Listening and Working Across Differences. If I had to categorize the different areas teams prioritize as wanting to get better in, or develop, it’s often in these two areas.
​
Let us take a look back at two posts I’ve written – one on Listening, and one on Working Across Differences.
 
First, here’s what I wrote in Teams365 #1103  on Listening. Read it here or below.

“Exceptional teams don't usually emerge as exceptional. They develop over time skills in different areas.

​The first area we are going to look at is Listening. In a team context listening is of utmost importance - it's listening on multiple levels. Listening to what the other team member is saying, and also listening for how it connects with your work. Listening is also hearing the emotional and requests behind the words. When teams are in conflict, there is usually a request behind each complaint that exists.

​In listening we want to listen on multiple levels:

​1. To the words that are being shared. This in fact only comprises about 8% of the message.
​2. To the tone, pace and pitch of the statement - what do you notice about the energy and impact of how the words are being spoken? This comprises more than 30% of the message.
​3. To the body language. What do you notice about the person's gestures? How they are standing? What does their body language say about how open or closed they are? Body language comprises about 55% of the message when we are in face to face settings.

​One of the challenges with team communication today is that so much is done by instant messaging or text in which we have no tone or body language to help make sense of what the words really mean. The impact of this means that words and the way they are interpreted are heavily influenced by the levels of trust and connection that exist within the team. You may be interested in checking out these two posts for boosting trust and connection in your virtual teams:

​Teams365 #258: Create Connection within Your Virtual Team. Read it here.

​Teams365 #610: Four Ways to Build trust in your team.

​There are some past posts I've written on listening, which is also a paramount skill in coaching. Take a look at these past posts related to listening:

​Teams365 #914: The Foundations of TeamWork - Listening - Read it here

​Teams365 #192: Listening And Coaching as A Leader. Read it here”
 
Working across differences is another challenging area for many teams today. The differences which exist on a team are often the greatest strength. However, how do we become more effective at working across differences? Consider what I wrote in this post – Teams365 #1110 – Working Across Differences.
 
“Today's teamwork skill in focus is the ability to work across differences. In today's world of ongoing collaboration and teamwork, this skill set is essential.

​Some tips for working across differences include:
​
​* Knowing each member's unique strengths and what they bring to the table. StrengthsFinder 2.0 is a wonderful tool to help people understand more about their unique strengths. Click here to read what I have written in the past about the benefits of leading from strengths, and supporting the team in understanding their strengths.

* Creating an environment where differences are celebrated and encouraged

​* Understanding the different styles which exist on a team. I usually use the Everything DiSC with the clients I work with. This helps to provide insights around people's natural working style, to support individuals in learning more about their "go to" approaches, especially when under stress. Understanding this also helps to adapt their style for working with others.

​What other ways do you want to support individuals on the team in working across differences?”

As you step into the weekend, what’s one concrete thing you can do to support your team in enhancing their skills in either listening or working across differences this month?

Best,
​Jennifer

​This summer I was committed to tackling the growing pile of books I had purchased earlier this year, but not cracked the spine on. The growing pile actually felt like a weight on me. While I love to read, the volume was dragging me down.
Supported by no TV, and a slower than normal internet connection, I was able to reshift some of my usual screen time (which today is pretty much streaming based) to turning in earlier and reading regularly. It helped me not only “get through” but enjoy reading a number of books this summer. It was a pretty eclectic range but I wanted to share some of them with you:
The 5 Choices: The Path to Extraordinary Productivity  by Kory Kogon, Adam Merrill and Leena Rinne –  I’ve written quite a bit bout the influence of Stephen Covey’s Training on my time management and productivity almost twenty years ago. I had picked up the Covey team’s latest book before hopping on a red eye flight from Vancouver to Toronto in June. Edits for my new book, the Coaching Business Builder Workbook and Planner, superseded reading it then, but I got to it just this last week.
For those looking for a quick, and integrated approach to time, this is a terrific resource. Their approach is grounded in Covey’s Urgent/Important Matrix, but also incorporates today’s focus on values and roles. A great read!
The Fire Starter Sessions – Danielle LaPorte – Loaded with short stories, quotes, the Fire Starter Sessions is a great book to dip into over time, with topics touching on time, money.
The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin – I continue to enjoy Gretchen Rubin’s weekly Podcast – Happier – and almost heard her voice speaking The Four Tendencies. This book takes us into the dynamic, and important, area of styles, and Gretchen’s framework around Questioners, Upholders Obligers, and Rebels. A must-read for team leaders and team members, this book will support you in thinking deeper about how you approach work, decisions and relationships, and what matters for those you work and live with! Check out what she has to say at her own blog post from 2015 here.
Build an A Team – Whitney Johnson – A terrific read for leaders and coaches and anyone who takes a strengths-based approach to work. With chapters focusing in on supporting new hires, as well as “masters” on  your team, this is a great read to get you thinking about what type of support people will benefit from, and how Johnson writes you can “support them up the learning curve”.
And on a lighter note, I also enjoyed the Agatha Christie-ish mystery – Woman in Cabin Ten. Given that this book was sitting for almost a year on my bedside table it was a relief to dip into this quick read – a solid one for anyone who likes mysteries!

What books did you enjoy reading this summer? What is sticking and transforming the way you work, and/or live?

Best wishes,
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

We know that diverse styles on a team creates a strength and supports results, when teams know how to work effectively together. The ability to work across differences is a skill set which may need to be cultivated intentionally by teams today.

For this week's #FlashbackFriday post I wanted to reach back to #Teams365 #1140 when I wrote the post "Listening for Different Styles on the Team". You may want to consider it in light of Wednesday's posts - Team skills in complexity - Listening.

Here's what I wrote in Teams365 #1140:

"Some of the most effective teams bring complimentary styles. There is great strength in diversity and in working collaboratively it is important to provide time and space for all team members to become more aware of the unique contributions they make to the team. Part of this involves helping the team develop a better understanding of their strengths, as well as their skills and their unique styles.
Our styles shape how we communicate (and appreciate communication), how we make decisions, and also how we interpret information. For example, as someone who values the big picture I will listen for that rather than details. In making decisions, I may think of the big picture or strategic issues first, then the minute details of what needs to be done. If I am a leader with that style, I may have a bias for painting the big picture and the “WHY”, AND need to recognize that many team leaders may also need communication, and support, around the more granular details.
Whether you are using an Everything DiSC or an MBTI or other style assessments, an enhanced understanding of our styles can be of benefit to know:
·         What our own preferences are
·         How our preferences and styles can become augmented when we are under stress or pressure
·         How we need to adjust our style for those on the team that have a different preference and style
This week during your team meeting, get people to notice the type of language of different team members. What does that signal about how they interpret information, like to be supported, or how they make decisions?
For more on how to bring the Everything DiSC into your workplace, please contact me."

I continue to see the value of teams who choose to invest some of their team development time by exploring DiSC. Programs can range from a five hour program, to a one-or two day session, combined with additional team building support. I offer sessions to teams in person and virtually. Drop me an email at info@potentialsrealized.com to learn more about how we can support your team.

Best wishes,
Jennifer

Yesterday we looked at part 1 of styles and strengths in teams. Part of the greatest challenge and opportunity in teams is their diversity. Research continues to show that well balanced teams excel, not necessarily teams which are all the same. Today's complex and uncertain environment requires that we look at things in different ways, leveraging different skill sets and being able to work with, and foster, diverse perspectives.

A recent HBR article by Alison Reynolds and David Lewis, "The Two Traits of the Best Problem-Solving Teams" delve into this topic.

Amy Edmonston's newest book, with Jean-Francois Harvey, Extreme Teaming: Lessons in Complex, Cross-Sector Leadership, also feeds into this conversation with teams (and leaders)

In today's post I wanted to get you thinking about what are some of the questions you as a team may want to consider as you start to explore the work this spring (or fall)/quarter:

1. What are the challenges and opportunities we are facing this quarter?
2. How will they necessitate that we look at things in a different way?
3. What diverse skill sets can we leverage across our team?
4. What diverse vantage points can we leverage across our team?
5. What aren't we thinking about, or considering?
6. What else?
7. If we were to look at things in a totally different way, what would that be?

I hope that you enjoy these questions and the conversation that flows out of it. If you didn't see yesterday's Part 1 of the Post -be sure to check out Teams #365 #1569. Enjoy!

Best wishes,
Jennifer

One of the most exciting parts of being on a team, and also one of the most challenging, is working with others who have a different style and different preferences. As someone who has led teams, or worked with teams, globally for the better part of the last three decades, I see this as one of the biggest challenges for teams.
Past posts here at the Teams365 blog
Key to becoming more effective in working with different styles in a team is:

#1 - Know Your Own Style and Strengths
We each have a unique style, and there are many great assessments on the market place today - MBTI, DisC, or the series of strengths based work through assessments such as VIA Character Strengths, or StrengthsFinder2.0. 
What do you know about your style and strengths?
How does that help you? Hinder you in  your work?


# 2 -Understand the limitations of your own style
With strengths come limitations, particularly if we are over utilizing or focusing on those. When others have to work with you as a details oriented person, what is that like? If you are constantly driving for results, how is that for others who have to work with you?

How does your strengths and styles help you? Help the team?
Where do your strengths and styles get in the way?

#3 - Understand what happens to your style when you are under pressure. Pressure in today's context is a daily occurrence for many. Whether it's working with limited resources or getting a project done in half the time it needs, pressure is constant. What typically happens when we are under pressure - time, resource pressure or stress - is that o ur styles can get magnified. Our strengths become  a blindspot. So, our attention to detail becomes over magnified, or our penchant for strategy becomes over utilized without a focus on the practicality of what can, and needs to get one.

What happens to your style, when you are under pressure?

The focus on ourselves is one part of the equation. The other part is to explore what happens across the team and how strengths and styles overlap and connect. There may also be gaps.

Have you as a team created space to talk about strengths/styles?
Where are you aligned?
Where are you in contradiction or opposition to each other?
What gaps exist?

Finally, with these ideas in mind, we also need to think about how we "dial up" and "dial down" our strengths. When do they become over magnified? When are they not enough? When do we become entrenched with them?

I hope that this post sparks some conversation for you as a team around your unique styles and how that is supporting or hindering you this quarter. For those interested in learning more about how I could support you and your team in this discussion, please reach out and set up a phone call.

Best wishes,
Jennifer

As someone who has spent many years supporting teams (intact and virtual) through a number of assessments, one that I am proud to offer is the Everything DiSC. It provides teams of all kinds insights about people’s preferences and how they approach their work. Our styles impact how we communicate (are you more detail focused or big picture), how we approach conflict (do you prompt conflict or act as the diplomat of the team), and how we work. Our styles become more pronounced in times of urgency, change and stress (a common occurrence).

It can be very useful to help teams of all kinds, including virtual teams, understand their styles. Whether you do opt to use an Everything Disc, or you use an MBTI or other assessment, what is often most important is the discussion which ensues.

Here’s a quick activity you might want to undertake with your team which could help team members expand their thinking about styles.

Time: 20-30 minutes

Materials needed: A slide with icons which team members can speak to.

Pre-preparation: Identifying what the topic is with the team and how you want to explore styles. Do you want to look at it through the lens of how you like to approach communication? Working styles? Decision Making? Conflict? Feedback? Make sure you have alignment around this.

Show the team the slide and ask the team to share what their preference is around about how they would approach the topic area.

So, if you are looking at how you make decisions, there might be a round of questions where you go round the table and hear from each person. Rounds of sharing could include each person’s response on these areas

1. Which icon represents your natural approach to_____________ (decision making or….)
2. Which icon represents how you would like to be supported in _______
3. As a team, which icon represents how you think the team in general needs to approach _______
4. At our best as a team, we would approach decisions such as __________________
5. What was important for me about this conversation was:
   

Depending on the size of the team you may need to select certain questions to discuss. It can be a very powerful activity.

Best
Jennifer

It's Thursday and time for another Team Building Question. Over the last two months on Thurday I've included a series of questions you may want to bring into your team conversations or events, in order to support the team in getting to know each other better. Building relationships to support results is critical for team success. Take a moment and check out my past posts on Getting To Know Your Team during April and May 2017.

Today's question gets you to think about, and be in dialogue around, the question "My work style is ____ & ______". Take a few minutes to discuss with each other what your work style is. Are you a:
Big picture person?
Details focused?
A driver of results?
Someone who wants to get it right the first time round?
Someone who likes to experiment?
A person who creates on the spot?

How would you describe your style?

How do you contribute to team results?
Teams benefit when they have complimentary styles. Notice how your team compliments each other with their styles. Are there any gaps?

This week I hope you'll enjoy the conversation. As an Everything DiSC Partner I see the power of conversation around style every time I lead a team retreat on this topic. If you'd like more information on the Everything DiSC, please contact us.

With best wishes,
Jennifer

This month here at the Teams365 blog we've been exploring virtual team and virtual team leadership issues. Given the diversity of team members we are leading globally, doing work with our team around strengths and styles can both support enhanced self-awareness on the part of team members and their natural approaches to working, as well as enhanced knowledge for the team regarding what their colleagues natural styles and strengths are.

Today I wanted to point you back to a 13 minute audio I did at the Teams365 Team Leader Breakfast Cafe in early 2015 on Styles. Take a listen in and think about how styles work could benefit you and your team. If you have some additional time today you may also want to check out the audio post on Strengths as well (approx 15 min).

Some of the most effective teams bring complimentary styles. There is great strength in diversity and in working collaboratively it is important to provide time and space for all team members to become more aware of the unique contributions they make to the team. Part of this involves helping the team develop a better understanding of their strengths, as well as their skills and their unique styles.
Our styles shape how we communicate (and appreciate communication), how we make decisions, and also how we interpret information. For example, as someone who values the big picture I will listen for that rather than details. In making decisions, I may think of the big picture or strategic issues first, then the minute details of what needs to be done. If I am a leader with that style, I may have a bias for painting the big picture and the “WHY”, AND need to recognize that many team leaders may also need communication, and support, around the more granular details.
Whether you are using an Everything DiSC or an MBTI or other style assessments, an enhanced understanding of our styles can be of benefit to know:
·         What our own preferences are
·         How our preferences and styles can become augmented when we are under stress or pressure
·         How we need to adjust our style for those on the team that have a different preference and style
This week during your team meeting, get people to notice the type of language of different team members. What does that signal about how they interpret information, like to be supported, or how they make decisions?
For more on how to bring the Everything DiSC into your workplace, please contact me.
​