Teams365 Blog - POTENTIALS REALIZED

Teams365 #3315: Team Culture Focus Area #3 - What is Important to Us?

1/31/2023

Over the last week we’ve had a number of posts taking us into the WHO, HOW and WHAT of Team Culture, the Three components which are foundational in shaping a distinct team culture.

Take a look at the WHO post here –
Take a look at the HOW post here -
Today we look at WHAT…Namely What is important to us.

For today’s post I am also pulling from the Day 35 of the 90-Day Guide For Success

What is important to us. Clarity around priorities and goals for the entire team helps with alignment, prioritization, and decision making. Spending time on a regular basis, discussing what is important to us, may also involve:

A list visible to the entire team (i.e., Think Intranet or other social network; have each team member post their
Top 5 Goals for the month
Top 5 Priorities for the week
Top 5 Priorities for the quarter
Enshrining your Team Agreements or Ways of Working into something that is visible. Some teams have enshrined this into a plaque or a screen saver, for example.

There are other what’s which are important to teams including:

Strategic Directions or Priorities
KPIs or OKRs

What else?

Enjoy the focus and I’ll be back with more posts on team culture later this week.
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton
Potentials Realized |Reconnecting Workspaces | Group Coaching Essentials
Team and Leadership Development | Coaching | Retreats
Follow us on Instagram @ReconnectingWorkspaces
Phone: (416)996-8326

Check out my TEDx talk

Looking to bring your workplaces back together, whether you are remote, hybrid, or face-to-face? Pick up a copy of my new book, Reconnecting Workspaces, at Amazon.

Teams365 #3314: Team culture focus area #2 - How we Do Things?

1/30/2023

Last week we started exploring 3 key areas of building a robust team and organizational culture- what I like to call the WHO, HOW and WHAT. These are at the heart of my latest TEDx talk.

Last Thursday we explored Culture Focus area #1 – WHO WE ARE. Take a look at it for some suggestions on what you might be able to explore together in your meetings.

Today, we are looking at culture focus area #2 – HOW We do THINGS. As I share in the 90-Day Guide for Success, HOW WE Do Things:

How we do things. Each team will have its own unique practices and ways of doing things. This will vary from team to team. Spending time discussing how you do things, and what the expectations are, creates clarity and builds trust, boosting both performance and results.

To explore this topic further consider:

Discussing “how we do things” (communicate, make decisions, work across differences, address conflict). It can be a series of different discussions and activities. It might include a Rules of the Road, which everyone has signed off on.
What makes you unique and distinct in terms of how you do things?
Another tool is to look at the Is/Is Not table.

Tomorrow we are going to explore area #3 – What is important to us. Stay tuned and I hope you’ll return back to take a look at it.

Enjoy the reflections,
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton
Potentials Realized |Reconnecting Workspaces | Group Coaching Essentials
Team and Leadership Development | Coaching | Retreats
Follow us on Instagram @ReconnectingWorkspaces
Phone: (416)996-8326

Check out my TEDx talk

Looking to bring your workplaces back together, whether you are remote, hybrid, or face-to-face? Pick up a copy of my new book, Reconnecting Workspaces, at Amazon.

Teams365 #3313: Week in focus - Team Culture

1/29/2023

This week we have wrapped up the 23 for 23, 23 posts to kick off the year and get you started powerfully.

We have also started exploring one of our first thematic focus areas for the year – TEAM CULTURE. This year I hope to double down into about 23 focus areas. This will allow us to take a deeper dive into some fo the core areas shaping todays teams, leadership and organizations.

First up, TEAM CULTURE. Stay Tuned as we’ll be exploring this again next week.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend,
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton
Potentials Realized |Reconnecting Workspaces | Group Coaching Essentials
Team and Leadership Development | Coaching | Retreats
Follow us on Instagram @ReconnectingWorkspaces
Phone: (416)996-8326

Check out my TEDx talk

Looking to bring your workplaces back together, whether you are remote, hybrid, or face-to-face? Pick up a copy of my new book, Reconnecting Workspaces, at Amazon.

Teams365 #3312: Weekly Journaling Prompt - What is the culture we want to create?

1/28/2023

As we have been exploring this week, the topic of team culture is critical especially when things are changing and in flux.
.
With that in mind, today’s focus is What is the culture we want to create?
If you are not part of a team right now, another way to frame this is “What is the environment I want to create with my work?”.

Taking time to get clear on our values, and intentions are key. What do you want to create?

Enjoy the reflection!
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton
Potentials Realized |Reconnecting Workspaces | Group Coaching Essentials
Team and Leadership Development | Coaching | Retreats
Follow us on Instagram @ReconnectingWorkspaces
Phone: (416)996-8326

Check out my TEDx talk

Looking to bring your workplaces back together, whether you are remote, hybrid, or face-to-face? Pick up a copy of my new book, Reconnecting Workspaces, at Amazon.

Teams365 #3311: Flashback Friday: Team Culture #2368 - Building a vibrant Remote Team culture

1/27/2023

Welcome to another Friday Flashback. This week we are exploring TEAM CULTURE, with more posts coming next week, so do return back!

I have been writing about, and working around team culture for many years. It’s a critical topic today, especially when team membership can be ever-changing. Culture creates stability in an uncertain environment. This is part of what I share in my most recent TEDx talk, which I gave here to a live audience in Toronto in early December. Link to the recording should be live soon.

Here’s what I shared in Teams365 #2368:

Team culture is all about HOW WE DO things here. Remote Team culture and fostering a sense of connection and identity is critical in a space where we may be members of multiple matrix teams. Take a look at yesterday’s Teams365 post - #2366 on roles in the remote space.

Our team culture consists of many different components – consider how you are building these out:

Our beliefs – What are the things we hold true? What do we believe in?
Our sayings – Consider the impact of a mantra of “better done than perfect” versus “review until all the t’s are crossed, and i’s dotted”.
What we value – How do our values show up in WHAT we do? What do our values look like in action? For example, is it speed or perfection?
Sense of identity – Who we are. What are the adjectives which describe us as a team?
Our practices and commitments – What will we ensure we always do, no matter what? Examples might include ALWAYS having a Friday afternoon status update no matter what OR ensuring that someone is available to serve customers (virtually or physically) within working hours (even if we have a meeting).

What areas of your culture could benefit from being intentional around?

Take a look at this past post #1526 here.

Check out the audio I did as part of one of the Team Leader Breakfast Café Series back in 2014 here.

What do you want to be more intentional about communicating? A strong team culture is important as it fosters a sense of identity and also signals to our team members and others, HOW we do things and what we value.

Enjoy your conversations!
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton
Potentials Realized |Reconnecting Workspaces | Group Coaching Essentials
Team and Leadership Development | Coaching | Retreats
Follow us on Instagram @ReconnectingWorkspaces
Phone: (416)996-8326

Check out my TEDx talk

Looking to bring your workplaces back together, whether you are remote, hybrid, or face-to-face? Pick up a copy of my new book, Reconnecting Workspaces, at Amazon.

TEAMS365 #3310:TEAMS ON THURSDAY – TEAM CULTURE FOCUS AREA #1 – WHO WE ARE

1/26/2023

As I shared in yesterday’s blog post, Team Culture is a key focus areas for teams today. It consists of 3 areas – the WHO, HOW and WHAT. These are some of the areas I explore more fully in my most recent TEDx talk – Coaching Teams Through Chaos.

Today, we are going to explore Team Culture Focus area #! – WHO We Are.
Who we are. Teams which excel know each other. They have strong relationships across the team, which allows them to call on others, and “have each other’s backs.”

To strengthen your connection, consider these activities:

Have the team brainstorm a list of words/adjectives which describe who you are as a team.
Shape these into a word cloud which can be shared and used as a screensaver or logo.
Discuss the question “Who are we when we are at our best?” Again, use the words to create a graphic about who you are.
At your next team meeting, have each person share one thing others may not know about them.
At your next team meeting, have each person share something that is unique to their location. (This works especially well if you have a global team.)
In your next meeting, share your screen, which includes a variety of photos or icons. Have each person select the photo or icon which represents what they bring to the team.

Enjoy the conversations,
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton
Potentials Realized |Reconnecting Workspaces | Group Coaching Essentials
Team and Leadership Development | Coaching | Retreats
Follow us on Instagram @ReconnectingWorkspaces
Phone: (416)996-8326

Check out my TEDx talk

Looking to bring your workplaces back together, whether you are remote, hybrid, or face-to-face? Pick up a copy of my new book, Reconnecting Workspaces, at Amazon.

Teams365 #3309: In Focus: Team Culture - Day 35 of the 90-day Guide for success

1/25/2023

Developing a robust team culture is a key element for high performance in any space – whether you are working in-person, hybrid or virtually. Having a robust team culture is also critical in times of change (i.e. NOW!).

Take a look at this short 1 minute video and also consider the questions asked. These can be valuable as a conversation point for your next team meeting:

As I share in the video, there are 3 elements which make up team culture:

Who We Are – Consider Strengths, our Roles
How We Do Things – Our team practices and agreements as well as team norms
What is Important to Us – Think Values etc

These three areas are at the heart of the work we do with teams. Book a 15 minute call with me to discuss how my team and I could support you and your team, or organization, in building more robust culture. You will find my calendar at https://calendly.com/jennbritton.

Enjoy the video!
Jennifer

I’ll be exploring part 1 – WHO WE ARE in tomorrow’s blog post.

Jennifer Britton
Potentials Realized |Reconnecting Workspaces | Group Coaching Essentials
Team and Leadership Development | Coaching | Retreats
Follow us on Instagram @ReconnectingWorkspaces
Phone: (416)996-8326

Check out my TEDx talk

Looking to bring your workplaces back together, whether you are remote, hybrid, or face-to-face? Pick up a copy of my new book, Reconnecting Workspaces, at Amazon.

Teams365 #3206: Flashback Friday– Building A Robust Team Culture

10/14/2022

Today we are taking a look back at Teams365 #2368, Building A Robust Team Culture. Here’s what I wrote:

Team culture is all about HOW WE DO things here. Remote Team culture and fostering a sense of connection and identity is critical in a space where we may be members of multiple matrix teams. Take a look at yesterday’s Teams365 post - #2366 on roles in the remote space.

Our team culture consists of many different components – consider how you are building these out:

Our beliefs – What are the things we hold true? What do we believe in?
Our sayings – Consider the impact of a mantra of “better done than perfect” versus “review until all the t’s are crossed, and i’s dotted”.
What we value – How do our values show up in WHAT we do? What do our values look like in action? For example, is it speed or perfection?
Sense of identity – Who we are. What are the adjectives which describe us as a team?
Our practices and commitments – What will we ensure we always do, no matter what? Examples might include ALWAYS having a Friday afternoon status update no matter what OR ensuring that someone is available to serve customers (virtually or physically) within working hours (even if we have a meeting).

What areas of your culture could benefit from being intentional around?

Take a look at this past post #1526 here.

Check out the audio I did as part of one of the Team Leader Breakfast Café Series back in 2014 here.

What do you want to be more intentional about communicating? A strong team culture is important as it fosters a sense of identity and also signals to our team members and others, HOW we do things and what we value.

Best,
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton
Potentials Realized |Reconnecting Workspaces | Group Coaching Essentials
Team and Leadership Development | Coaching | Retreats
Follow us on Instagram @ReconnectingWorkspaces
Phone: (416)996-8326

Check out my TEDx talk

Looking to bring your workplaces back together, whether you are remote, hybrid, or face-to-face? Pick up a copy of my new book, Reconnecting Workspaces, at Amazon.

Teams365 #3202: Creating A Strong Team Culture – Excerpt from the 90-Day Guide for Success

10/11/2022

Today we turn to the 90-Day Guide for Success and we take a look at Day 35 around Creating a Strong Team Culture.

Here’s what I wrote,

Developing a strong team identity and team culture is even more important in a virtual space, given that we may be members of several different groups at any given time. Without the virtual cues around us, team culture in the remote space needs to be made explicit.

Our team culture can take many shapes and may include:
• Sayings
• Graphics
• Slogans
• Acronyms
• Mascots

Strong team culture is an important part of belonging and connection.
Team culture is “how we do things here.” Identity is knowing that you are part of a bigger entity.

In developing your team culture, consider the following:
• What’s important to us?
• What are the things we hold to be “true”?
• What three adjectives describe us?
• How do others describe us?
• What are the things we value?
• Who do we aspire to be?
• What is taboo on this team?
• What is non-negotiable?
• What is not ever complete on this team?
• What doesn’t get attention?
• Where do I begin in my workflow?

The flip side or underbelly of a strong team culture is that it leads to silos and a fractioning. When our team culture is strong, it may be impermeable to others, and thus creates a wall. Teams will want to be sure that they are open enough that team culture is not a barrier, but rather a signal of expectations and agreements.

Questions: Consider the icons and images which surround your team. What does it say about your culture?”

I hope that you will take some time to discuss the questions posed here.

Enjoy the conversation!
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton
Potentials Realized |Reconnecting Workspaces | Group Coaching Essentials

Team and Leadership Development | Coaching | Retreats
Follow us on Instagram @ReconnectingWorkspaces
Phone: (416)996-8326

Check out my TEDx talk

Looking to bring your workplaces back together, whether you are remote, hybrid, or face-to-face? Pick up a copy of my new book, Reconnecting Workspaces, at Amazon.

Teams365 #3201: Video of the Week - Team Culture

10/10/2022

A topic which gets quite a bit of talk these days is Team Culture, and whether people have to be in the office to create it.

Team Culture is the focus of our video this week, which is taken from Day 35 of the 90-Day Guide for Success.

Take a look at the video at this video

What are you doing to build a strong team culture?

Enjoy the conversation!
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton
Potentials Realized |Reconnecting Workspaces | Group Coaching Essentials
Team and Leadership Development | Coaching | Retreats
Follow us on Instagram @ReconnectingWorkspaces
Phone: (416)996-8326

Check out my TEDx talk

Looking to bring your workplaces back together, whether you are remote, hybrid or face-to-face? Pick up a copy of my new book, Reconnecting Workspaces, at Amazon.