I love the start of a new year and the opportunity to work on what sometimes can be a blank canvas. Of course, our actions are always infused by what's preceded us, which leads me to today's post regarding five focus areas for team leaders to keep an eye on during 2017. The main focus here at the Teams365 blog is around teamwork and leadership issues, helping teams and leaders leverage their abilities.
Looking at some of the 2016 trends, five areas teams and team leaders will want to keep an eye on this year include:
1. Leveraging virtual opportunities. With an increasing number of people wanting to work remote, this may be a defining year for many organizations to strike a better balance of what virtual and remote work arrangements can mean for their organization. We see the range of organizations embracing this - from organizations that are completely virtual with staff spread across regions and the globe, to organizations which have brought people back in house.
Part of leveraging virtual opportunities means making your virtual events more effective. I hope that you will take a look at some of our past posts on virtual facilitation, an area we are increasingly providing support around, building on our decade plus experience.
2. Continuing to leverage strengths: The business case for strengths based leadership is quite clear. Allowing team members to capitalize on their strengths through projects and main pieces of their work can help with productivity and engagement. Take a look at this Gallup research.
3. Continued need for impactful regular conversations. even in our Just-in-time world, and perhaps even moreso, there is need for regular one-on-ones. This holds true for both virtual and in-person teams. These conversations have different names in different organizations - from one-on-ones to huddles, to coaching. Impactful conversations focus on goals, action, awareness and results. Later this year I'll be publishing a new book entitled Effective Virtual Conversations to support those leaders who are leading virtual teams.
4. Regular and ongoing focus on team development - Having been involved in team development for almost three decades now I continue to be amazed at how some organizations feel that the once a year offsite will be the pancea for all team development needs. Teams are living, breathing entities. They need feedback, support and ongoing focus throughout the year. The good news is that this doesn't have to take a lot of time. Here at the Teams365 blog you've got hundreds of ideas you can pull on - from our weekly Thursday team building questions which you are encouraged to bring into your team meetings, to incorporating some of our recent A-Z activities.
Remember, teams that excel usually have both great relationships with each other and also are clear on results. Take a look at this past post which explores Essential Ingredients for High Performing Teams.
5. Flexibility and fluidity to work in today's VUCA world. It is no surprise that organizations are embracing agile approaches. With continued Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity, it is even more important for leaders today to be comfortable with flexibility, and fluidity. The ability to change course midstream, lead in uncertain environments, and empower your team to make decisions has taken on new meaning in many organizations. This also requires a mindset of ongoing learning. What do you see as the areas you'd like to grow in this year? What's essential?
As you consider your context right now, what is important for your team and leadership this year?
Have a great start to 2017,
Jennifer
Looking at some of the 2016 trends, five areas teams and team leaders will want to keep an eye on this year include:
1. Leveraging virtual opportunities. With an increasing number of people wanting to work remote, this may be a defining year for many organizations to strike a better balance of what virtual and remote work arrangements can mean for their organization. We see the range of organizations embracing this - from organizations that are completely virtual with staff spread across regions and the globe, to organizations which have brought people back in house.
Part of leveraging virtual opportunities means making your virtual events more effective. I hope that you will take a look at some of our past posts on virtual facilitation, an area we are increasingly providing support around, building on our decade plus experience.
2. Continuing to leverage strengths: The business case for strengths based leadership is quite clear. Allowing team members to capitalize on their strengths through projects and main pieces of their work can help with productivity and engagement. Take a look at this Gallup research.
3. Continued need for impactful regular conversations. even in our Just-in-time world, and perhaps even moreso, there is need for regular one-on-ones. This holds true for both virtual and in-person teams. These conversations have different names in different organizations - from one-on-ones to huddles, to coaching. Impactful conversations focus on goals, action, awareness and results. Later this year I'll be publishing a new book entitled Effective Virtual Conversations to support those leaders who are leading virtual teams.
4. Regular and ongoing focus on team development - Having been involved in team development for almost three decades now I continue to be amazed at how some organizations feel that the once a year offsite will be the pancea for all team development needs. Teams are living, breathing entities. They need feedback, support and ongoing focus throughout the year. The good news is that this doesn't have to take a lot of time. Here at the Teams365 blog you've got hundreds of ideas you can pull on - from our weekly Thursday team building questions which you are encouraged to bring into your team meetings, to incorporating some of our recent A-Z activities.
Remember, teams that excel usually have both great relationships with each other and also are clear on results. Take a look at this past post which explores Essential Ingredients for High Performing Teams.
5. Flexibility and fluidity to work in today's VUCA world. It is no surprise that organizations are embracing agile approaches. With continued Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity, it is even more important for leaders today to be comfortable with flexibility, and fluidity. The ability to change course midstream, lead in uncertain environments, and empower your team to make decisions has taken on new meaning in many organizations. This also requires a mindset of ongoing learning. What do you see as the areas you'd like to grow in this year? What's essential?
As you consider your context right now, what is important for your team and leadership this year?
Have a great start to 2017,
Jennifer
Jennifer Britton
Potentials Realized | Coaching Team Leaders
Team and Leadership Development | Coaching | Retreats
Follow us on Twitter @Teams365
Phone: (416)996-8326
Potentials Realized | Coaching Team Leaders
Team and Leadership Development | Coaching | Retreats
Follow us on Twitter @Teams365
Phone: (416)996-8326
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