Want your team to take off? Then make sure you understand and execute on the checklist…Below you’ll find a description of the fifth and final checkpoint identified in the course of my experience with a particularly high-performing team. In case you missed the previous ones, click on the link at the bottom of the post to see the others.
5. Face-to-Face Time Together
Although the communication tools of today are incredible, nothing to date has been invented that replaces the “bond” established through face-to-face contact. The “stewing” and thought-saturation that occurs as a team works together on a topic for hours at a time is worth gold. It is an important “force of alignment” and driver of creativity that is dangerous to short-cut. To go even further, the occasional “spice” of a completely divergent hallway conversation, coffee break or after-hours dinner can be “the secret sauce” that really helps the team gel. After all, it’s no different than any other relationship….the more time spent together in various circumstances the stronger and more resilient it will be.
As you consider how to take tangible steps to motivate and inspire your team, remember that the propellant that drives the engine is not perfection but sincerity. You’re not after stimulants that come across as fake “mood boosters”, rather focus on genuine versions of these “thrusters” that are certain to strike a cord in the heart of your team and make it “take-off.” The well-known 19th century English politician and author, Edward Bulwer-Lytton, eloquently summed it up when he wrote: “Enthusiasm is the genius of sincerity and truth accomplishes no victories without it.”
- Part 1: A Worthy & Inspiring Cause/Vision
- Part 2: Senior Level Commitment
- Part 3: Positive Leadership
- Part 4: Sincere Appreciation for Sacrifice
Picture: www.kidocs.org
Johannes,
I just commented similarly on LinkedIn to a question noting that fewer people work in a classic office environment and the “ability to get your entire team together is more difficult and expensive”…the poster wanted to know how to address this “changing environment”
I think the key is ‘regular’ face to face meetings (~every 6 weeks) followed up with weekly calls and video (WebEx/Skype) sessions. In my current project, our leader has been very effective by using this method and having regular one on one meetings with his hierarchical and functional reports.
Presence (both physical and virtual) is key.