Francie Van Wirkus's Blog, page 6
July 12, 2020
New Team Members Need You
“We could have better onboarding.”
How you make space for new people to join your team sets the tone for success.
When onboarding a new person, help them understand ownership: what team members own, what the team owns, and what the supporting leaders own. Discuss desired self-help behaviors. Give them habitual knowledge transfers.
Wish you had done this a year ago? It’s never too late to improve.
July 5, 2020
The E-Word“Don’t use the word experiment,” the team lead said. “We can only support what we...
“Don’t use the word experiment,” the team lead said. “We can only support what we promised.”
Working to meet people where they are is nuanced effort. When done well, possibility grows from some of the most stubborn gardens.
The E-Word
“Don’t use the word experiment,” the team lead said. “We can only support what we promised.”
Working to meet people where they are is nuanced effort. When done well, possibility grows from some of the most stubborn garden.
June 22, 2020
Transforming management (!) will look different for each person. This variation is a good thing for...
Transforming management (!) will look different for each person. This variation is a good thing for customer value, innovation, and resiliency.
June 7, 2020
Fault Tolerance
The year 2020 is a great test of our personal fault tolerance. Are you still able to thrive despite the failures around you? (Notice I didn’t ask if you were thriving in the same ways you did in 2019.)
Think of it this way: I can thrive in 2020 if…
May 31, 2020
Intent with a Wait
When you can’t be in person, the intent of your interaction needs to be very clear.
Then, wait for others to contribute. Wait longer than you are comfortable. Give your intent the time and space it needs to grow.
Listen deeply.
May 24, 2020
What’s Your Return on Team?
Now more than ever, your persistent, cross-functional teams can become an actual corporate asset. How to measure? Look at trend and performance compared to planned work. Be curious.
May 17, 2020
Teacher Parade
In April 2020, a sleepy lakeside community in Wisconsin, USA, made low cost connection with high impact: a parade of elementary school teachers. No candy was thrown, and there was no admission fee. Still, people (and kids!) embraced the event. Connections like this make a lasting impression.
Do you make connections that are easy for people to access?
May 10, 2020
Uncertainty
Uncertainty in organizations and the relationships within them causes:
Fear
Rumors.
Retreats
Effective leaders are:
Courageous, because they don’t know the answers.
Authentic and open, leaving little to speculation.
Present to relentlessly share the vision, and coach and mentor others.
May 3, 2020
Decision PileMicro decisions are the ones you make all day long. They often go unnoticed, which...
Micro decisions are the ones you make all day long. They often go unnoticed, which means they are unaccounted for. They pile up.
Until one day, they are noticeable. A pile of small decisions, stacked up over time, now reveals itself in the most obvious way.
Apply reflection and focus to your days, so your micro decisions add up in the most positive and creative way.
