In developing high performing teams it is important to remember that they have both a focus on results and relationships that exist within the team. On Wednesday morning at 7:15 am ET I will be exploring the topic of What Makes Teams Excel in this month's Team Leader Breakfast Cafe. (You can join me at 1-857-232-0155, access 503003 - no cost other than your own long distance charges)
At this time of year many leaders start planning for their own year end team development and retreat processes. When is the last time you focused on your team development? Was this a focus area that has slipped off the radar?
What are some of the core elements you want to consider in a retreat for your team?
Here are five questions to ask yourself:
1. What's the focus? - as you consider investing in time away from your desks (even if it is in the office) - what is the focus of the day? Is it to build relationships? To do some planning? To hash out issues? Make a list of three to five focus areas for the day.
2. Onsite or offsite? - While a lot of teams struggle with actually making it out of the office for a day, the investment pays off in dividends. The additional focus and time to really connect provide distinct advantages of an offsite process.
3. What are the main outcomes? Linking back to your focus areas, what are the three to five main outcomes for the day? For example, a better knowledge of each others' strength, a clear action plan with measurable take aways, and clear responsibilities?
4. Bring in an external facilitator or do it yourself? The advantages of bringing in an external facilitator is that it may free you up to really engage in the process and dialogue of the retreat, rather than focusing in on how the retreat will proceed.
5. How will we follow it up? Many of the gems of the retreat are often left at the retreat site, as retreats can be seen as distinct from the rest of the regular team activity. Schedule in time in your calendars for follow-up and build in time to your regular meetings to resume the dialogue and commitments you have made offsite.
What other questions or areas do you want to consider as you plan your year-end team process?
At this time of year many leaders start planning for their own year end team development and retreat processes. When is the last time you focused on your team development? Was this a focus area that has slipped off the radar?
What are some of the core elements you want to consider in a retreat for your team?
Here are five questions to ask yourself:
1. What's the focus? - as you consider investing in time away from your desks (even if it is in the office) - what is the focus of the day? Is it to build relationships? To do some planning? To hash out issues? Make a list of three to five focus areas for the day.
2. Onsite or offsite? - While a lot of teams struggle with actually making it out of the office for a day, the investment pays off in dividends. The additional focus and time to really connect provide distinct advantages of an offsite process.
3. What are the main outcomes? Linking back to your focus areas, what are the three to five main outcomes for the day? For example, a better knowledge of each others' strength, a clear action plan with measurable take aways, and clear responsibilities?
4. Bring in an external facilitator or do it yourself? The advantages of bringing in an external facilitator is that it may free you up to really engage in the process and dialogue of the retreat, rather than focusing in on how the retreat will proceed.
5. How will we follow it up? Many of the gems of the retreat are often left at the retreat site, as retreats can be seen as distinct from the rest of the regular team activity. Schedule in time in your calendars for follow-up and build in time to your regular meetings to resume the dialogue and commitments you have made offsite.
What other questions or areas do you want to consider as you plan your year-end team process?
Looking for support for your own year-end retreat? Contact us to discuss how we could support you in creating an exceptional and results-oriented retreat for your team, department or organization. Call (416)996-8326 or email us.
Jennifer Britton, MES, PCC, CPT
Potentials Realized | Teams365
Growing Team Leaders One Conversation at a Time(TM)
Leadership Development | Coaching | Retreats
(416)996-8326
Join us for an upcoming public offering of the Teams365 Team Leader Foundations program - online learning modules geared to sharpen your skills as a team leader. You can also join us for a 4 or 6 month Teams365 Team Leader group coaching program geared to take a deeper dive into your strengths and capacity as a leader - starts Tuesday October 15 at 5:45 pm Eastern by phone.
Jennifer Britton, MES, PCC, CPT
Potentials Realized | Teams365
Growing Team Leaders One Conversation at a Time(TM)
Leadership Development | Coaching | Retreats
(416)996-8326
Join us for an upcoming public offering of the Teams365 Team Leader Foundations program - online learning modules geared to sharpen your skills as a team leader. You can also join us for a 4 or 6 month Teams365 Team Leader group coaching program geared to take a deeper dive into your strengths and capacity as a leader - starts Tuesday October 15 at 5:45 pm Eastern by phone.
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