Susan Scott's Blog, page 10

From Stress to Success: Ignite Team Performance with Regular Feedback

Conquer Overwhelm and Ignite Team Performance with Regular Feedback

Are you tossing and turning at night, wrestling with how to boost your team’s performance without adding to the stress more stress to their daily activities and goals? Yeah, you’re not alone. It’s a tough nut to crack – finding that sweet spot between providing feedback that ignites, not overwhelms. It’s like tiptoeing through a minefield, right?

But what if we could flip the script on that narrative? What if we could transform feedback from a stress-inducing monster into a catalyst for success, a tool to conquer overwhelm rather than create it?

We’re about to embark on a journey from stress to success, equipping you with a power-packed feedback toolkit to supercharge your team’s performance. This week’s tip for creating high-performance teams is learning how to effectively integrate feedback into your culture and ongoing activities.

Reframing Feedback as Regular Conversations for Performance Improvement

Have you ever seen a garden grow without regular care? The Goodway Group faced a similar situation. In their remote environment, feedback became infrequent, leading to misunderstandings and frustration. Something needed to change.

Fierce intervened, providing training to the Goodway Group, focused on cultivating frequent, effective feedback. The results? Enhanced collaboration, clarity, and engagement. It was as if the clouds had parted, revealing the sky.

What’s the takeaway? Regular feedback is like sunlight to an organization, promoting growth and health.

Feedback shouldn’t be a once-in-a-blue-moon event. It’s not just about annual performance reviews or project post-mortems. It needs to be woven into the fabric of daily interactions.

In the same way, we chat about weekend plans or shared interests, we should be discussing performance and progress. Feedback, then, becomes an ongoing conversation – not a dreaded, infrequent meeting.

Feedback Conversations: From Accusations to Curiosity

How often do feedback discussions feel like an accusation game? This approach is riddled with shortcomings, usually leading to defensiveness rather than improvement.

In a team environment, effective feedback is akin to a compass, always pointing in the right direction. One of the most potent Fierce feedback tools is the concept of “interrogating reality.” This isn’t a grueling interrogation; rather, it’s an exploration of perceptions, assumptions, and viewpoints.

Imagine a situation where a project deadline was missed. A traditional approach might place blame, resulting in defensiveness. But, what if we interrogated reality? What if we asked, “What obstacles prevented us from meeting our deadline?” This allows for a broader view, turning blame into understanding.

Kandi Gongora, VP of the Goodway Group, describes this method as “groundbreaking.” It shifted her culture of feedback from a fault-finding mission to a shared search for solutions.

Interrogating reality flips this script. It’s like swapping a magnifying glass for a wide-angle lens. Instead of zeroing in on faults, it broadens the view, creating a fuller understanding of situations. This approach fuels curiosity, not accusation.

Overcoming Conversational Sticking Points for Honest Feedback

But shifting to this feedback approach in today’s hybrid work environment is like trying to dance in a new pair of shoes – it’s tricky at first. So, how do we adjust? Here are five tactics to grease the wheels:

Make conversation training part of major initiatives. It’s like adding a dash of spice to a dish, enhancing the flavor.Use creative tools for practice. Consider it as rehearsing lines for a play, with the stage being your remote workspace.Train leaders and internal trainers first. It’s like lighting candles throughout an organization, spreading warmth and clarity.Make the new feedback approach a part of routine gatherings. Consider it a regular item on your meeting’s menu.Use blended training approaches. Think of it as mixing the ingredients of face-to-face and digital communication for a perfect recipe for training.

Navigating today’s work environment doesn’t have to feel like sailing in uncharted waters. With these tactics, we can chart a clear course for honest, effective feedback.

Remember, feedback is more than a tool – it’s a conversation, a habit, a mindset. It’s the compass guiding us to our shared goal. And with a little patience and practice, we can master the art of providing and receiving feedback. This isn’t just about success, it’s about overcoming overwhelm, and it’s about making work an engaging, enriching space for all of us.

A Beacon of Light in the Storm

The world of leadership and team management can often feel like navigating an endless sea in a storm. You’re shouldering the enormous weight of performance expectations, striving for excellence but feeling drowned by the fear of potential failures. It’s understandable. It’s like you’re standing on the edge of a cliff, staring down at the rocky waters below, terrified of taking that crucial leap.

Remember that fear, anxiety, and stress are just the ghosts of decisions yet to be made. You’re not alone. Every leader at some point wonders, “Am I doing enough? Am I giving enough feedback? Or am I overloading my team?” That uncertainty can feel like a rock in your shoe, constantly nagging and undermining your confidence.

The beacon of regular, constructive feedback is your compass, your North Star, guiding you towards team success, towards performance that soars above and beyond.

You know, deep down, that your team is a reservoir of potential. Every member is brimming with untapped talent and innovation. With the power of regular feedback, you can unlock this potential. It’s not about micromanagement; it’s about creating a dynamic feedback cycle, a give-and-take that breeds growth, confidence, and excellence.

Remember how feedback, when reframed as an ongoing, candid dialogue, can spark organizational transformation. Team members are no longer passive recipients; they become active contributors. They interrogate reality, unraveling issues and working together towards solutions. That’s the kind of team dynamism we all aspire to, isn’t it?

Take a step back and picture the difference this could make to your team. The buzz of engagement, the newfound zest for work, and the monumental leap in performance. Imagine the palpable relief when your team no longer sees feedback as a bitter pill but as a tool for self-improvement. Imagine how you, as a leader, will sleep better at night, knowing that your team is not just functioning, but thriving.

Embrace the power of feedback, interrogate reality, and ignite your team’s performance.

The post From Stress to Success: Ignite Team Performance with Regular Feedback appeared first on Fierce.

Your Ultimate Guide to Transform One-on-One Meetings

From Frustration to Trust: Your Ultimate Guide to Transform One-on-One Meetings

One-on-one meetings: the corporate equivalent of being sent to the principal’s office. We’ve all been there, right? 

You’re sitting across from your direct report, that nagging sense of unease growing. You’re striving for meaningful dialogue, but all you get is surface-level chatter. You think, “There must be more to this.” 

Here is your ultimate guide to revolutionizing one-on-ones. We’re ditching frustration and swapping it for trust. Together, we’ll unveil the surprising secret to making these meetings less about as much fun as watching paint dry, and more about forging real, robust connections. Ready to flip the script? Let’s dive in.

The Current Landscape of One-on-One Meetings 

Imagine a bridge. On one side, you stand as a leader, armed with objectives and expectations. On the other side, your team member, carry their perspectives and aspirations. The bridge in-between? That’s your one-on-one meetings, shaky and riddled with potholes. Familiar pain points? How about ineffective communication, unaddressed issues, or just a general sense of going in circles? Sound familiar? 

Now consider this: 40% of employees are dissatisfied with the communication they have with their manager. Yet in a recent survey from Quantum Workplace and Gallup, “Staffers who meet regularly with managers on a one-on-one basis are three times more likely to be engaged on the job than employees who don’t have those meetups.” The impact? Wasted time, missed opportunities, and let’s not forget, frustrated people on both ends of the bridge. 

The Unexpected Secret to Better One-on-One Meetings: Trust

Enter Trust: the sturdy suspension cables that can turn our flimsy bridge into a modern marvel of connection. Neuroscience tells us that trust activates the “feel good” chemical oxytocin, opening channels of communication like floodgates in a dam. But why is it so vital for one-on-one meetings? 

Consider a manager and employee, locked in a tango of misunderstood feedback. With trust, that same feedback could transform into a valuable learning experience, sparking innovation rather than resentment. Surprising? Maybe. Powerful? Absolutely.

Strategies to Foster Trust in One-on-One Meetings

So, how do we build this trust? Let’s unravel some strategies.

Radical transparency: Seems scary, right? But imagine a world where everyone’s cards are on the table. No guesswork. No reading between the lines. Just pure, honest dialogue. It’s like exchanging blurry glasses for 20/20 vision.

Active listening and empathic communication: Ever talked to a brick wall? No fun, is it? Now imagine that wall listening, understanding, and responding. Feels different, doesn’t it? That’s active listening: turning that brick wall into a conversational partner.

A coaching mindset: Remember the last time someone told you what to do? How’d that feel? Now, what if they’d asked you instead, guiding you toward finding your own solution? This shift from ‘telling’ to ‘asking’ can inspire an entirely new level of engagement.

Vulnerability as a leader: Picture an impenetrable fortress. Intimidating, right? Now, imagine a door opening, revealing the human inside. This vulnerability doesn’t weaken the fortress; it strengthens it by fostering connection and understanding.

Building psychological safety: Ever held back an idea fearing it would be shot down? Psychological safety transforms the shooting range into a safe harbor, where ideas are not only shared but celebrated. 

Maximizing the Outcome: How Trust Transforms Meetings

Can trust really bring such transformation? Consider the tech giant, Google. They fostered trust through psychological safety in their teams and what happened? Higher productivity, greater innovation, more employee satisfaction. [insert optional fierce case study company]

Trust isn’t just about making meetings pleasant. It’s about creating a chain reaction: trust sparking innovation, boosting morale, fostering collaboration, and increasing productivity. A 360-degree transformation, if you will.

Practical Steps for Managers: From Frustration to Trust

A step-by-step guide to making this shift? 

Start with transparency. Share your objectives, worries, and even mistakes.  Practice active listening. Demonstrate understanding by paraphrasing or asking clarifying questions. Adopt a coaching mindset. Use open-ended questions. Show vulnerability. Share personal stories, and admit when you don’t have all the answers. Build a safe space. Encourage ideas, and respect dissenting opinions.

But what about different personality types or virtual meetings? Customize your approach. Adjust your communication style, and leverage technology for open dialogue. Be flexible, be adaptable. 

Even the best of plans can face hurdles. Spot low trust from signs like guarded communication, lack of initiative, or high defensiveness. How to repair it? Address conflicts directly, apologize sincerely, and make amends promptly.

Trust in a meeting is good. Trust that extends beyond? Even better. Keep the dialogue open, follow through on commitments, and acknowledge and appreciate efforts. Watch as trust overflows from meetings to the entire team dynamic. 

The Final Mile: Stepping Into Transformation 

Admit it, one-on-ones can feel like a minefield. You’re worried about tripping up, saying the wrong thing, or worse, not saying anything worthwhile at all. You’ve had your share of frustrations and insecurities, and who wouldn’t in your shoes? Being a leader isn’t a walk in the park, it’s a marathon on a winding, uphill road. 

But remember this: You have just traversed a path from frustration to trust, uncovering the unexpected magic ingredient in one-on-one meetings: Trust. You’ve discovered unconventional strategies to foster trust—transparency, active listening, coaching mindset, vulnerability, and psychological safety. 

You’ve seen how trust is not just a feel-good concept but a concrete tool that has powered the transformation of organizations like Google. You’ve uncovered the step-by-step guide to swap those one-on-one meeting frustrations with trust-building techniques and understood how to customize these to different personality types and virtual setups. 

And yes, you’re aware that you might stumble, that there may be hurdles on the way. But you’re also armed with strategies to identify low-trust signals and troubleshoot them effectively. 

Take a moment to absorb this: You are on the cusp of transforming your one-on-one meetings, from being a dreaded necessity to becoming an engine of trust, innovation, productivity, and growth. You are ready to step beyond those meeting rooms, carrying the trust you build there into the broader team dynamics. 

You’re not just a leader, but a trailblazer in the making, carving out a path towards genuine, trust-based communication in your organization. And that’s no small feat. 

You’re not just reshaping your meetings; you’re reshaping your work relationships, your team, and your entire leadership style. You are stepping into a world where every one-on-one meeting is an opportunity for connection, growth, and mutual trust. You are about to create an environment that is not just productive, but also encouraging, innovative, and motivating.

You’ve got the map, the compass, and the willpower. The path from frustration to trust lies open. You’re all set. Go forth and transform your one-on-one meetings. Your team is waiting, and so is success. 

The post Your Ultimate Guide to Transform One-on-One Meetings appeared first on Fierce.

4 Ways to Increase Your Productivity at Work

As a lifelong, card-carrying procrastinator, I’ve experienced my fair share of the self-induced stress that comes with waiting until the deadline to accomplish something that I’ve committed to delivering. Along the way to its inevitable completion, it impacts my overall productivity as my brain is cluttered by space dedicated to the stress and strain of procrastination.

Clearly, I’m not alone – you’re reading this blog post hoping to find some new ray of hope that will help you get unstuck and accomplish more each day. Inevitably, we’ll address procrastination, too. If you commit to reading this post for at least two minutes, I promise your investment will pay dividends. Start your timer and read on.

1. Self-care through self-awareness

Taking care of yourself is critically important to all facets of your life, including your ability to produce at your highest levels. This often starts with a conversation with yourself. Ask yourself, “What do I need to be at my best? What time of day am I most alert? What motivates me? How do I define productivity? How will I celebrate milestones along the way to the final product?” Here are some things to consider putting into practice for yourself:

Track the trends of your stress to bounce forward from setbacks through greater resilience.Pay attention to the fuel you consume to optimize your body and mind performance.Put your smartphone in another room, or at least out of immediate reach.Turn off notifications.Take breaks to move, breathe, and get a different perspective.Plan for a social connection over lunch (even virtually).2. Be here, prepared to be nowhere else®.

Another key principle critically important to Fierce® (meaningful, enriching, bold) conversations is being fully present with your partner. This also applies to improving productivity. Massachusetts Institute of Technology neuroscience professor Earl K. Miller proves to us that “multitasking is not humanly possible.” When we have multiple screens and multiple windows open on our computers it gives us a false sense of accomplishment. Focused attention on one thing at a time not only boosts your productivity, but it also improves the quality of your output.

3. Choose to be fiercely accountable ®.

As with most things in life, personal accountability is core to success. Are there real forces working against you? Very likely, yes. Are you asked to deliver more and more at work each year? Definitely. Is your team understaffed? In this hiring climate, indeed. Given all those things are true, ask yourself, “What can I do to get unstuck? What’s within my control?” Congratulations! You’ve just taken the first step toward personal accountability and a more satisfying, productive life.

4. Do you procrastinate? Stop it!

Easier said than done, of course. If you’d like to overcome your tendency to put things off, here are a couple tangible ideas to get you started:

Tackle your toughest challenge today. In fact, put it at the top of your list. Whether it’s a conversation with a colleague to address their performance or putting the finishing touches on your proposal to the board of directors, do it at the start of your day to get an immediate sense of accomplishment and free up the space in your brain to focus on the next thing on your list – and they’ll all be easier!Implement the 2-minute rule. Remember Newton’s law of inertia? Objects at rest tend to stay at rest; objects in motion tend to stay in motion. Set your timer to two minutes and dive into your to-do list. This one’s remarkably simple and incredibly effective. In fact, you’ve already done it and nearly finished reading this article!5. Bonus pro tip!

When you read articles online like this one, avoid the tendency to get distracted by the various embedded links along the way that serve as portals down rabbit trails. Scan or read through the article first then go back to those that warrant your time and attention. What began as a three-minute blog intended to inspire greater productivity could become a morning devoted to exploring the depths of the ‘interwebs’.

The truth is there is no panacea for productivity. Continue your research until you find those things that work for you. Start implementing one right away to get traction and gain momentum. Give yourself the grace of being a flawed human being just like the rest of us. You’re perfectly imperfect on the path to greater productivity that enables your peak potential.

The post 4 Ways to Increase Your Productivity at Work appeared first on Fierce.

Unleash the Power of Creative Thinking

Ready to unlock the hidden potential of your team?

This week’s tip to build high-performing teams is about building creativity within your teams. When you unleash the power of creative thinking productivity will soar, collaboration improves, and extraordinary results become the norm!

We’ll explore how delaying tasks strategically, embracing the chaos of a messy desk, and incorporating mindfulness practices can prime creativity among your team like never before.  So, let’s dive in, shall we? 

Embrace “Structured Procrastination” to Prime the Subconscious

Picture this: You’re faced with a mountain of tasks, deadlines looming like storm clouds. The pressure is on, and the urge to dive headfirst into the to-do list is strong. But what if I told you that delaying tasks strategically could actually enhance your creativity and productivity? That’s where structured procrastination comes into play.

Structured procrastination is the art of channeling your tendency to procrastinate into a force for good. Instead of succumbing to unproductive distractions, you prioritize tasks based on their importance and deadlines. By working on a slightly less urgent but still valuable task, you create mental space for your subconscious mind to work its magic on the more pressing ones.

Let’s say you have a presentation due next week, but your brain feels stuck. Rather than staring at a blank screen, why not focus on a different task, like brainstorming ideas for an upcoming project? This shift in focus not only gives your mind a break from the immediate pressure but also allows for fresh perspectives to emerge.

Remember, the key here is balance. You’re not advocating for procrastination without purpose. It’s about strategically prioritizing tasks to optimize your creative potential.

Cultivate a “Messy Desk” environment to stimulate creative thinking

We’ve all been taught that an organized workspace is essential for productivity. But what if I told you that a cluttered desk could actually be a catalyst for creative thinking?

Now, before you dismiss this notion as utter chaos, let’s delve into the research. A study conducted at the University of Minnesota found that a messy environment can promote creative problem-solving. The reasoning behind this lies in the way our brains process information. A tidy space may give off an impression of orderliness, but it can also restrict our thinking to conventional paths.

On the other hand, a cluttered desk offers a visual representation of the multitude of ideas and possibilities at our disposal. It sparks curiosity and encourages our minds to make connections between seemingly unrelated concepts. It’s like stumbling upon hidden treasures amidst the clutter.

So, instead of relentlessly tidying up every stray paper or pen, embrace the controlled chaos. Let your desk be a canvas where creativity can thrive.

Integrate mindfulness practices to boost focus and efficiency

In a world that’s constantly buzzing with distractions, finding focus can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. That’s where mindfulness comes in—a powerful tool to cultivate presence, clarity, and heightened awareness.

You might be thinking, “Mindfulness? That’s all about meditation and sitting cross-legged, right?” Well, not entirely. Mindfulness can be seamlessly integrated into your daily work routine, with no lotus position required.

As a leader start by setting aside a few minutes each day to practice focused breathing and encourage team members to do the same. Take a moment to notice the sensation of your breath as it enters and leaves your body. This simple act of grounding yourself in the present moment can significantly improve your focus and attention span.

Additionally, incorporating short mindful breaks throughout the day can help rejuvenate your mind and prevent burnout. Engage in activities that promote mindfulness, such as taking a leisurely walk outside or savoring a cup of tea without distractions.

By honing your mindfulness muscle, you’ll develop a greater ability to stay fully engaged in the task at hand, fostering efficiency and unlocking your creative potential.

Embrace “Disagree and Commit” to foster collaborative creativity

In a team environment, disagreements can be seen as roadblocks to progress. However, what if I told you that healthy disagreements can actually fuel innovation and lead to extraordinary solutions?

Enter the concept of “Disagree and Commit.” It’s about creating a culture where team members are encouraged to voice their diverse opinions, challenge the status quo, and engage in constructive debates. Rather than shutting down differing perspectives, this approach acknowledges that creative solutions often arise from the clash of ideas.

Imagine a brainstorming session where everyone agrees on every point. Sure, it might feel comfortable, but it also limits the potential for groundbreaking breakthroughs. By embracing healthy disagreements, you create an environment where ideas collide, and innovation thrives.

Encourage “Random Connections” for cross-pollination of ideas

When it comes to creative thinking, exposure to diverse perspectives and fields of knowledge is key. It’s like having a treasure trove of puzzle pieces from various puzzles, ready to be combined in unexpected ways.

Encourage your team members to make random connections by seeking out opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration. Provide platforms for different departments to share their insights and expertise. Organize cross-functional projects or even informal coffee chats that allow for serendipitous encounters.

By fostering these random connections, you create fertile ground for the cross-pollination of ideas. It’s like mixing colors on a palette—each hue adds depth and richness, transforming ordinary concepts into extraordinary masterpieces.

Embrace failure as a stepping stone to success

Failure—it’s a word that strikes fear into the hearts of every leader and competitive contributor. But what if I told you that failure is not the opposite of success but a crucial stepping stone on the path to greatness?

Throughout history, countless innovators faced failure head-on and used it as a catalyst for transformative breakthroughs. Thomas Edison once famously said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Embrace the mindset that each failure brings you closer to success, as long as you learn from it.

So, the next time you and your team encounter a setback, ask: What can we learn from this experience? How can we pivot and approach the problem from a different angle? Embrace the lessons failure has to offer and use them as building blocks for future success.

Foster a culture of curiosity and exploration

Curiosity—the insatiable hunger to question, explore, and uncover new possibilities. It’s a driving force behind creative thinking and extraordinary results.

As a leader, cultivate a culture that nourishes curiosity within your team or organization. Encourage individuals to ask “why” and challenge the status quo. Provide opportunities for learning and growth, whether it’s through workshops, conferences, or simply setting aside time for self-directed exploration.

Imagine a team that approaches each project with a childlike curiosity, eager to peel back the layers and discover new perspectives. It’s like embarking on a thrilling adventure, where each twist and turn uncovers hidden treasures of innovation and growth.

So, fuel that spark of curiosity within yourself and your team. Nurture it, let it flourish, and watch as it ignites a chain reaction of creativity, driving you toward extraordinary results.

Ignite the Creative Flame and Blaze a Trail of Success

As a leader, it’s not easy to develop high performance. The weight of responsibility can feel overwhelming like a mountain threatening to crumble. But remember this: within every challenge lies an opportunity, waiting to be seized. And that opportunity is creative thinking—a force that can fuel productivity, ignite collaboration, and lead to extraordinary results.

From embracing structured procrastination to cultivating a messy desk environment, integrating mindfulness practices, and fostering healthy disagreements, you’ve already cracked the code to creativity and shattered the boundaries of conventional thinking.

You opened the door to random connections, cross-pollination of ideas, and the transformative power of failure. You have the tools to nourish the flames of curiosity and exploration, igniting a blazing fire within teams.

Now, begin to implement these strategies and let creativity be one more building block to create high-performing teams. 

The post Unleash the Power of Creative Thinking appeared first on Fierce.

5 Tips to Improve Your Mental Health in the Workplace

May has been recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month in the United States since 1949. Yet, only in the last several years has there been a concerted effort to remove the stigma around mental health, and begin treating it like we do with our physical health. Thankfully workplaces are starting to prioritize mental health concerns as part of their wellness programs, especially because of the urgency and return on investment this focus generates for any organization.

Mental health issues cost US businesses between $80 and $100 billion annually, so finding help for employees and their families greatly reduces strains on organizations operating budgets. Mental health challenges such as depression aren’t isolated to individuals. Surveys continue to show that employees struggling with depression decrease the morale of their colleagues. 

While it is encouraging that organizations continue to build resources for mental health, as a leader and employee there are steps you can proactively take to strengthen your own mental resilience and health. Protecting and strengthening yourself against the challenges we all face in life and at work has a ripple effect on the rest of your colleagues and teammates.

Here are 5 simple tips you can implement to improve your mental health in the workplace.1. Mindfulness

Mindfulness is a mental state of being present and fully engaged in the current moment, without judgment or distraction. Starting your day with mindfulness sets a positive tone for the rest of your day, including your workday. When you wake up, it’s important to take a few moments to center yourself and set your intentions for the day ahead. This can be done through meditation, deep breathing, or simply taking a few minutes to enjoy your morning coffee in silence. By starting your day mindfully, you are more likely to approach your work with a clear and focused mindset.

For remote workers, it’s even more crucial to practice mindfulness as work and personal life easily blend. It’s easy to get caught up in work when you’re working from home, and it is challenging to switch off at the end of the day. By incorporating mindfulness practices throughout the day, such as taking regular breaks to stretch, go for a walk, or do some deep breathing exercises, remote workers better manage their stress levels and avoid burnout. It’s important to prioritize self-care and mental wellness when working remotely to ensure that you perform at your best both professionally and personally.

2. Stop Multitasking

One reason many of us feel so much stress and overwhelmed at work is that we are bombarded by multiple priorities and deadlines. Our solution is to multi-task in an attempt to clear the deck and become more efficient. Yet, study after study shows how detrimental multi-tasking is to productivity. It creates psychic stress because your attention is pulled in multiple directions. Even when you attempt to work on one task, all the other priorities pull into your mind. It’s better to prioritize your tasks and focus on one at a time, giving each task your full attention before moving on to the next one.

Setting boundaries is a key component in learning to focus on the task at hand. It’s important to know your limits and communicate them to your colleagues and supervisors. Saying no to additional tasks when you’re already feeling overwhelmed is not a sign of weakness, but rather a sign of good self-care. Trying to take on too much leads to burnout and long-term negative impacts on your health and well-being. Be mindful of the dangers and stress associated with multitasking and prioritize tasks while setting realistic boundaries.

3. Focus on Your Strengths

It is commonly believed that we should focus on improving our weaknesses to become better individuals. However, studies have shown that working on developing our strengths instead of fixing our weaknesses leads to faster growth, greater happiness, confidence, and reduced stress. Utilizing our strengths allows us to engage in activities that feel natural and enjoyable, leading to a sense of accomplishment.

To achieve personal and professional success, concentrate on strengths. By being more of who we already are, we capitalize on our innate abilities and seek out projects that satisfy us. This approach fosters a positive and fulfilling experience, as working on our strengths feels effortless and enjoyable. Embrace and utilize our strengths to maximize our potential and lead a fulfilling life.

4. Connect with Others

Maintaining positive relationships with colleagues and socializing outside of work significantly benefit your mental health. Consider joining clubs or interest groups to meet new people or finding a mentor or support group to help you navigate work challenges. Seeking support from mental health professionals, employee assistance programs, or trusted colleagues and supervisors also improves your well-being.

Comparing yourself to others leads to low self-esteem and unhappiness. Instead, focus on healthy improvements by measuring yourself against specific goals and concentrating on who you are versus who you aren’t. Talking to someone you trust about your experiences and joining social media groups centered on mental health at work helps you feel less alone. Doing things for others at work, like volunteering or mentoring,  also improves your mental health and well-being while benefiting others.

5. Know Yourself & Stressors

Self-awareness is crucial for your mental health and well-being. It is the ability to recognize and understand your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, enabling you to identify and address areas of your life that may be causing stress or anxiety. By being self-aware, you gain a better understanding of your strengths and weaknesses, allowing you to make informed decisions and manage difficult situations more effectively. Moreover, self-awareness helps you become more resilient in the face of stress and adversity, as you are better able to recognize and cope with your emotions.

To maintain good mental health, it is also important for you to accept your emotions without judgment. Rather than rejecting or denying feelings of fear, sadness, or shame, accept them and be aware of your emotions. This acceptance will help you stay present in the moment and increase your self-awareness, ultimately contributing to better mental health and resilience against stress. Remember that your emotions are temporary and will not last forever. By accepting them, you better cope with difficult situations and maintain good mental health.

Summary

Mental health is a crucial aspect of our lives and especially in the workplace. We must prioritize mental wellness as part of our overall well-being, as it affects not only our personal lives but also our productivity and success at work. By implementing the five tips outlined above, including mindfulness, avoiding multitasking, focusing on strengths, connecting with others, and self-awareness, we develop greater resilience and better manage stress in our work and personal lives.

Remember that improving our mental health is not just a personal responsibility, but also an essential investment in our work environment, colleagues, and overall organizational performance. So, let’s take action and commit to prioritizing our mental health in the workplace.

The post 5 Tips to Improve Your Mental Health in the Workplace appeared first on Fierce.

Revolutionize Your Workweek: Unleash the Power of Bare Minimum Mondays

In the fast-paced world of business, finding effective strategies to optimize productivity and maintain work-life balance is essential for both business leaders and managers.

One innovative approach gaining popularity is “Bare Minimum Monday.”  

Looking at recent employee data says changing our approach at the start of the work week may be needed. In a survey conducted by LinkedIn, 75 percent of working adults admit to experiencing the “Sunday Scaries,” which refers to a sense of anxiety or apprehension about the approaching week.

While it may feel like a stripped-down version of “quiet quitting”, this concept does have the potential to bring back balance into your work and help you focus on what matters. You can begin to incorporate Bare Minimum Monday into your work life for increased efficiency, reduced stress, and improved overall well-being.

What is Bare Minimum Monday

The term “Bare Minimum Monday” was popularized by self-employed TikToker, Marisa Jo Mayes.  Mayes felt overwhelmed at the start of the week and began shifting her priorities to only what was essential and would keep her work-life balanced. Rather than crafting a long list of to-dos at the beginning of the week, only to stare at the unfinished items in despair. 

On Mondays, Mayes doesn’t take meetings for the first two hours of the day. Those first two hours are spent reading and journaling to focus on the essential tasks of the week and what she needs to accomplish. The one thing she avoids in those two hours is technology and especially email. By 10 AM she is ready for creative work and then a focus on main work tasks in the afternoon.

Since the term was popularized, many, especially remote workers and the self-employed have embraced the concept  Yet, Bare Minimum Mondays can have a place in corporate life and larger organizations. The ultimate goal of this strategy is to shed the overwhelming workload mindset. You have one day to focus on the essential tasks of your job and professional development.  

Why This Approach Works1. You Start the Week with Clarity

Utilizing Bare Minimum Monday allows business leaders and managers to hit the reset button, gaining clarity on priorities and setting achievable goals for the week ahead. By identifying and focusing on the most critical tasks, professionals can eliminate distractions and reduce stress levels, enabling them to work more efficiently.

2. Cultivating Work-Life Balance

Bare Minimum Monday encourages individuals to incorporate self-care activities into their routines, such as exercise, meditation, or quality time with loved ones. A balanced work-life approach enhances productivity and prevents burnout. Leaders can use Bare Minimum Monday as an opportunity to promote work-life balance within their teams, leading to a more engaged and motivated workforce.

3. Increasing Efficiency and Productivity

We tend to underestimate the power of focused work. By limiting distractions and narrowing the focus to essential tasks, Bare Minimum Monday helps accomplish critical objectives more efficiently, resulting in increased productivity. When paired with time-blocking strategies you allocate specific periods for focused work and uninterrupted concentration, yielding higher-quality outputs.

4. Creating a Positive Work Culture

Leaders who adopt concepts from Bare Minimum Monday and openly communicate its benefits create a positive work culture that encourages balance and improved employee well-being. With reduced stress and improved work-life balance, team members are more likely to experience enhanced creativity and innovation, bringing fresh perspectives to problem-solving and driving business growth.

How To Implement Bare Minimum Mondays 

The key concept in this approach is to avoid hitting the ground running at the start of the week. Don’t immediately jump into emails or meetings or intensive work. Take some time to center yourself and your priorities and give space to think through what is critical in your tasks and responsibilities. 

If you exercise, you understand the concept of warming up. Runners don’t jump straight into sprint work without first warming up and stretching to get ready for high-energy output. Weightlifters don’t come in cold, load up the bar near their max, and begin working. They warm up slowly to get the blood flowing, the joints warm, and the muscles loose.

Think of Bare Minimum Mondays as your warmup to the work week. These ideas will help your teams begin to implement this strategy.

1. Review Time

Encourage one or two hours at the beginning of the week to focus and reflect on their week and what needs to be accomplished. As part of this focus time, capture loose ends and clarify any new commitments or tasks that emerged in the previous weeks. Process and organize any accumulated notes, papers, or digital files. Reflect on the previous week’s accomplishments and challenges, identifying any lessons learned or areas for improvement. Plan and preview the upcoming week by identifying priority tasks and appointments, and ensuring that the calendar and to-do lists are up to date.

2. Prioritizing Essential Tasks

Managers can help their team members identify and prioritize the most critical tasks for the week. This involves focusing on key projects, deadlines, or deliverables that need immediate attention and setting them as the primary goals for “Bare Minimum Monday.”

3. Time Blocking

Encourage your team to dedicate specific time blocks on Monday for important tasks or projects. By blocking out distractions and creating uninterrupted work periods, employees can focus on completing essential work.

4. Agile or Scrum Approach

Some teams may find it beneficial to adopt Agile or Scrum methodologies. In this context, Monday can be dedicated to planning, organizing tasks, and setting priorities for the upcoming week. This can help streamline workflow and improve productivity.

5. Team Huddles or Check-ins

Managers can schedule brief team meetings on Monday mornings to discuss priorities, share updates, and ensure everyone is aligned on the week’s goals. This promotes accountability and provides an opportunity to address any questions or concerns.

Summary

Bare Minimum Monday offers a refreshing and innovative approach to work-life balance and productivity optimization. By starting the week with clarity, cultivating work-life balance, increasing efficiency and productivity, and creating a positive work culture, professionals can experience a significant positive impact on their overall well-being and job satisfaction. Embracing this concept can lead to a more focused, balanced, and fulfilling work experience.

So, why not give it a try? Incorporate Bare Minimum Monday into your routine and unlock the potential for a more productive work life. 

The post Revolutionize Your Workweek: Unleash the Power of Bare Minimum Mondays appeared first on Fierce.

Employee Performance Improvement Techniques

Hello, everyone. I’ve been reading a lot lately about techniques that help improve employee performance. As leaders why is it important for us to remain focused on techniques that help improve employee performance? Well, first of all, we know optimal employee performance can increase productivity but what are some of the other reasons; well to improve customer service, improve the delivery of services and products, reduce turnover, increase, innovation, improve morale, and the culture of the organization?When employees are performing at their best, they’re able to get more done in less time, which leads to increased profits and a better bottom line for the company. Employee performance improvement techniques can help reduce errors and mistakes. When employees are properly trained and given the tools that they need to do their jobs, they’re less likely to make mistakes; that saves the company money as well as improving the quality of products and services.Employee and performance improvement techniques can help improve employee morale and satisfaction.When employees feel that they’re valued and that their work is important, they’re more likely to be happy and engaged in their work which leads to a number of other benefits for the company, including increased productivity, decreased turnover, and improved customer service.Finally, employee performance improvement techniques can help to improve the company’s image. When employees are performing at their best and feel supported, they’re more likely to be positive ambassadors of the organization. That helps attract new customers and clients and also helps improve the company’s reputation in the industry.So what are some employee performance techniques that we can use? I’d like to share now with you,7 effective employee performance improvement techniquesNumber 1 – Set clear, realistic, and measurable goals.Employees need to know what is expected of them in order to perform at their best. These goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.Number 2 –  Provide regular feedback. We teach this on a regular basis at Fierce, we know feedback is essential for employee development. Feedback should be timely, specific, and supported. Feedback should be focused on the employee’s performance, not their personality.Don’t forget offering praise or positive feedback is just as essential, just as important as what is known as constructive feedback or feedback designed to help improve or support or help someone get back on track. Or course correct, as we say.Number 3 – Create a positive work environment, where employees feel valued respected, and supported. That can be achieved by creating a culture of trust openness and collaboration.Number 4 –  Invest in employee development. Employees who are constantly learning and growing are more likely to be engaged and productive. Provide opportunities for your employees to develop their skills and knowledge, through training, mentoring, and job shadowing. Help them remain current with what’s going on in the industry. Help them to upscale their expertise.Number 5-  Encourage employee participation. Employees who feel like they have a voice in the workplace, are more likely to be engaged and motivated. So encourage employees to participate in decision-making, problem-solving, and brainstorming. At Fierce we have an excellent tool for that, our teams conversation model.Number 6 –  Recognize and reward employee achievements. Employees who are recognized for their accomplishments are more likely to be motivated to continue performing at a high level. Rewards can be formal or informal and don’t have to be monetary.Number 7- Address performance issues promptly. If an employee’s performance is not meeting expectations. It is so important to address that issue promptly. The sooner the issue is addressed, the easier it will be to resolve.At Fierce, have an excellent tool to help with that our confront conversations model. By taking steps to improve employee performance companies can reap many benefits, including, increased productivity, improved customer service, reduced turnover, increased innovation, improved morale and improved work culture.By implementing these employee performance improvement techniques. You can help to improve the overall productivity, quality, and culture of your organization.

The post Employee Performance Improvement Techniques appeared first on Fierce.

The Power of Habits for Creating an Optimized Team

Good daily habits are the foundation for creating an optimized team. When team members have good habits, they are more productive, efficient, and effective. They are also more likely to be positive and engaged in their work. This week’s high-performance tip is about understanding habits and how to instill the best habits in your team.

The Power of Habits

Habits are routines or behaviors that we repeatedly perform without conscious thought. They are actions or patterns of behavior that become ingrained through repetition and become automatic over time. Habits can be both positive and negative, influencing various aspects of our lives, such as our personal health, productivity, relationships, and overall well-being.

Habits are formed through a cycle known as the habit loop, which consists of three components: the cue, the routine, and the reward. The cue is a trigger or a reminder that initiates the habit, the routine is the behavior itself, and the reward is the positive reinforcement or satisfaction we derive from the habit.

Developing and maintaining positive habits greatly benefit our lives. On the other hand, identifying and changing negative habits help us break free from destructive patterns and lead to positive transformation.

Establishing Good Habits

Good habits have the power to transform our lives, helping us achieve our goals, boost productivity, and enhance overall well-being. However, forming and maintaining these habits is often easier said than done. There are several things you can do to make habit formation simpler and permanent.

1. Keystone Habits

Keystone habits are foundational habits that have a positive domino effect, leading to the development of other good habits. For example, regular exercise often leads to better eating habits, improved sleep, and increased productivity. By identifying and focusing on keystone habits, we maximize our habit-formation efforts.

2. The Power of Small Wins

Studies show that starting with small, achievable goals significantly increases the likelihood of habit formation. By breaking down larger habits into manageable tasks, we experience a sense of accomplishment and build momentum for long-term success. 

3. Habit Stacking

Habit stacking involves attaching a new habit to an existing one, leveraging the power of associations to make the new habit stick. This technique enhances habit formation by capitalizing on existing routines. Additionally, modifying one’s environment to support desired habits, such as removing distractions or creating visual cues,  significantly increases the chances of habit formation.

4. Accountability and Support

Having external accountability increases the success rate of habit formation. Sharing goals with a trusted friend, joining a support group, or using habit-tracking apps provide the necessary support and motivation. 

Foundational Team Habits

If habits are so powerful and foundational to productivity and success in life, what habits can your team implement to build a high-performance environment? 

When team members have good daily habits, they are more likely to be successful in their work. This leads to a more productive and efficient team, which benefits the organization as a whole. Here is a collection of habits that high-performing teams have implemented that keep team members motivated and focused in the right direction

1. Encourage Work Without Distraction

To cultivate a focused work environment, force times of focused work without distraction. Distractions have become pervasive in our daily lives, disrupting productivity at every turn. Surprisingly, studies reveal that individuals face distractions approximately every 11 minutes. When your team is engrossed in a critical project, it is crucial to motivate them to temporarily disable notifications, close email tabs, and keep their phones out of reach to resist the temptation of constant checking.

By implementing this approach, you empower your team to maintain a heightened level of concentration and efficiency. By minimizing external interruptions, team members can fully immerse themselves in their work, making significant progress toward their goals. Encouraging a distraction-free work environment not only enhances productivity but also fosters a sense of focus and dedication among your team members, ultimately leading to the successful completion of important projects.

Build this habit by establishing set times when focused work must take place. Create a ritual by having it at the same time each day or week and having team members all shut off notifications together.

2. Make Daily Connections With Team Members

Building a habit of daily connection with team members is a transformative practice that propels a team’s growth and success. It is essential to recognize that many issues within a company arise from miscommunication or individuals not being able to voice their concerns in a timely manner. By establishing a daily connection ritual at the start of each day, team members ensure they are aligned, and understand their priorities and the expected outcomes by the day’s end.

These daily connections serve as a powerful tool to foster transparency, collaboration, and accountability within the team. Through regular communication, team members gain clarity on their responsibilities, allowing them to focus their efforts effectively. It creates an open space where individuals express their thoughts, concerns, and ideas, fostering a culture of trust and psychological safety. When team members are consistently connected, they develop a sense of unity and shared purpose, working towards common goals and achieving remarkable outcomes.

The habit of daily connection empowers team members to proactively address challenges, resolve conflicts, and provide timely support to one another. It allows for real-time feedback, enabling course corrections and ensuring everyone works towards a shared vision. By nurturing these connections, teams build strong relationships, enhance collaboration, and create an environment that nurtures innovation and growth.

Ultimately, the daily connection becomes the cornerstone of a high-performing team that consistently delivers exceptional results.

3. Plan Out The Day In Advance

Building the habit of daily planning is a game-changer when maximizing productivity and focus within a team. The crucial step encourages team members to plan their day the night before. By doing so, they arrive at work with a clear roadmap in mind, ready to take action instead of spending precious time crafting a plan. When team members consistently plan their day ahead of time, their productivity levels soar, and their focus remains sharp from the moment they step through the door.

Daily planning offers numerous benefits. It allows individuals to prioritize tasks, set realistic goals, and allocate their time and resources effectively. By outlining their objectives and tasks in advance, team members approach their work with a sense of purpose and direction.

Additionally, planning the night before provides an opportunity for reflection, allowing individuals to identify potential obstacles or challenges and devise strategies to overcome them. This proactive approach enables team members to hit the ground running and make the most of their time and energy throughout the day.

4. Continuous Learning 

To build the habit of continual learning within a team, it is important to create an environment that supports and encourages ongoing growth. This can be achieved by providing access to learning resources, such as training programs, workshops, and online courses, that are relevant to the team’s goals and objectives. Team members should be encouraged to take ownership of their learning journey and allocate dedicated time for personal and professional development.

In addition, fostering a culture of knowledge-sharing and collaboration is essential. Team members should be encouraged to share their insights, experiences, and lessons learned with one another. Regular team meetings or knowledge-sharing sessions can be scheduled to discuss recent discoveries, industry trends, and innovative approaches. By promoting a collective mindset of continual learning, teams adapt to new challenges, stay ahead of the curve, and continuously improve their performance.

Summary

Building good daily habits is the foundation for creating an optimized team. By implementing productive habits and rituals teams can enhance their productivity, collaboration, and overall success. These habits empower team members to stay focused, aligned, and accountable, leading to the achievement of remarkable outcomes. By prioritizing and cultivating these habits, organizations can create a high-performance environment that propels their teams to excel and achieve extraordinary results.

The post The Power of Habits for Creating an Optimized Team appeared first on Fierce.

Embrace Coaching to Create Mental Clarity within the Team

Coaching is a powerful tool for promoting mental clarity within a team. By identifying strengths, and weaknesses, setting goals, and developing strategies, coaches help team members stay focused, and motivated to achieve them. 

Leaders who prioritize mental clarity in coaching avoid undesirable outcomes such as low employee engagement, subpar results, and a lack of initiative. These issues often stem from a lack of clarity, which is a common problem in many organizations. 

The tip this week for creating a high-performance team is to embrace coaching to build mental clarity within your teams. Investing in coaching and creating a culture of mental clarity, leaders help their teams achieve success and reach their full potential. This requires identifying the root cause of common problems and taking proactive steps to foster mental clarity within the team.

Reasons Coaching Creates Mental Clarity in Teams

Coaching revolves around asking probing questions that delve into a problem or difficulty, leading to a clearer understanding and uncovering new possibilities. The potency of the questions asked leads to robust solutions. As you implement coaching, you will not only help others grow but also expand your own abilities, allowing you to delegate tasks that no longer warrant your attention. This provides you with the opportunity to take on challenging and significant projects that will advance your career.

1. Improved communication and collaboration among team members

With clear coaching direction, team members are more likely to communicate effectively, share ideas, and contribute to problem-solving efforts. Collaboration enables team members to leverage their collective knowledge and expertise to achieve better outcomes than any individual could on their own. Effective communication also helps to build trust and rapport among team members, promoting a positive team dynamic and fostering a culture of mutual support and respect.

2. Enhanced self-awareness and emotional intelligence

Coaching creates enhanced self-awareness and emotional intelligence in teams by providing clarity about their roles and responsibilities, leading to a better understanding of strengths and weaknesses. This understanding allows team members to manage their emotions, resulting in greater emotional intelligence critical for effective collaboration and communication. With emotional intelligence, team members navigate conflicts, build trust, and create a positive team culture, leading to better outcomes for the team.

3. Increased motivation and engagement

Coaching creates increased motivation and engagement among teams by providing clarity about their roles, responsibilities, and goals, which creates a sense of purpose and direction. This clarity leads to a feeling of ownership and accountability for their work, resulting in increased engagement and investment in the team’s success. Additionally, clarity helps to reduce ambiguity and uncertainty, creating a more positive and productive work environment that leads to better outcomes for the team.

4. Better problem-solving skills and decision-making abilities

Coaching creates better problem-solving skills among teams by providing clarity about their roles and responsibilities, streamlining problem-solving efforts, and leading to better decision-making. This clarity enables team members to leverage their collective knowledge and expertise, reducing confusion and ambiguity and allowing them to focus on finding solutions. With this clear understanding, team members are better equipped to solve problems and make decisions, resulting in better outcomes for the team.

5. Reduced stress and anxiety levels

Team clarity reduces stress and anxiety levels by providing a clear understanding of roles and responsibilities, reducing confusion, and the risk of misunderstandings or miscommunications. This clear understanding allows team members to approach their work with greater confidence and a sense of purpose, resulting in a more positive and productive work environment. 

Examples of Coaching Success

Studies have shown that teams that receive coaching tend to outperform teams that do not receive coaching. Coaching helps teams to develop a better understanding of their roles and responsibilities, to communicate more effectively, and to collaborate more efficiently. 

A meta-analysis of coaching practices inside organizations by the Journal of Work-Applied Management found that coaching increased overall goal attainment for teams as well as improved skill acquisition.

According to a study by the Human Capital Institute and the International Coach Federation cited in an ATD article, organizations with strong coaching cultures report revenue growth well above their industry peer group (51% compared with only 38%) and significantly higher engagement (62% compared with 50%).

Overall, these studies and statistics highlight the importance of mental clarity within teams and how it impacts performance in the workplace. By fostering a culture of clarity, communication, collaboration, and emotional intelligence, organizations improve the well-being of their employees and the overall performance of their teams.

How to embrace coaching for mental clarity within a team

In today’s fast-paced and competitive business environment, it’s more important than ever for teams to prioritize mental clarity. Coaching is an effective tool for achieving mental clarity within a team.

By following a few simple steps, teams embrace coaching and reap the benefits of improved communication, enhanced problem-solving skills, and increased motivation and engagement.

1. Go Professional:

First and foremost, it’s important to hire a professional coach or designate an internal coach who has experience in team coaching. This person should have the skills and knowledge to facilitate the coaching process and guide team members toward their goals.

2. Know Your Gaps

Next, it’s important to identify the specific needs and goals of the team. This might involve conducting a needs assessment or survey to understand better the challenges and opportunities facing the team. Once these needs and goals have been identified, the coach works with team members to develop a coaching plan that addresses their specific needs and goals.

3. Schedule Consistency

Regular coaching sessions should be set up and conducted on a regular basis, and team members should be encouraged to provide feedback and support. During coaching sessions, team members should be encouraged to engage in open and honest communication, with active listening being a key component of the process. This means actively listening to what other team members are saying and working collaboratively to address challenges and find solutions.

4. Focus on Awareness

Distractions in the workplace lead to miscommunications and misunderstandings, especially in teams with diverse backgrounds and working styles. Encouraging present-focused attention, non-judgmental processing, and respectful communication increase team mindfulness and improve critical analysis and decision-making. Mindfulness training for team leaders or a handful of team members positively influences the behaviors of their coworkers, leading to a more productive work environment. While there is no formal prescription for achieving team mindfulness, some organizations institute individual and group-based mindfulness programs to promote team cohesion and focus on tasks at hand.

5. Measure Success

Finally, it’s important to celebrate successes and acknowledge challenges. This help to build a positive and supportive team culture, where team members feel valued and supported. Celebrating successes also help to motivate team members and reinforces the importance of coaching for mental clarity.

Embracing coaching for mental clarity within a team is a highly effective way to improve communication, problem-solving skills, motivation, and engagement.

Summary

Coaching helps identify strengths and weaknesses and develops strategies to achieve goals that lead to improved decision-making, communication, and individual performance. Leaders should encourage regular breaks, promote mindfulness practices, and create an open communication work environment.

Coaching leads to enhanced self-awareness, emotional intelligence, collaboration, and communication, resulting in increased motivation, engagement, and better outcomes for the team.

The post Embrace Coaching to Create Mental Clarity within the Team appeared first on Fierce.

Improving Performance Starts with Individual and Team Purpose

A purpose is more than a goal. It’s a goal plus the fuel to accomplish something bigger than yourself.

Goals reside on the ground level, but purpose lives in the cloud at 40,000 ft. Purpose gives direction and clarity to all the daily tasks and projects we do in the workplace. This week’s tip for creating high-performing teams is to instill your team with a sense of purpose so they can accomplish more than they could as individual contributors.

Throughout much of the 20th century business was all about efficiency. It was widget-driven and viewed talent through the lens of the assembly line. With the right training, systems, and management, you could squeeze max efficiency out of each employee’s 9 to 5 efforts. Unfortunately, this focus made people feel like robots and reached its zenith in the late ’90s and was even lampooned in the cult classic – Office Space.  

A purpose is like a guiding star and recognizes a basic human need. Without purpose, we all lose hope and motivation to continue performing our best. Purpose directs behavior and provides a reason for people to work together and achieve a shared goal. It’s what brings all stakeholders together and gives clarity to the “why” behind their work. 

One reason many individuals and teams struggle is that they lack purpose in their work. When obstacles or boredom knocks on their doors, it becomes hard to push through and procrastination, apathy, and burnout occurs. 

What is Purpose

Human beings have an inherent desire for purpose, a fundamental component of a fulfilling life. Victor Frankl’s seminal work, “Man’s Search for Meaning,” illustrates this point, revealing that concentration camp inmates who possessed a goal or purpose were most likely to survive. 

But you don’t have to be in a life-or-death situation to need a sense of purpose. Most of us can relate to something as simple as following a sports team can give you a sense of purpose. You want your team to win, and it motivates you to support and follow in a shared group.

In the workplace, a sense of purpose is crucial for personal and organizational success. Studies show that 76% of individuals crave a sense of purpose in their jobs. When individuals feel they are part of a larger objective, it fosters feelings of connection and fulfillment. Purpose, also known as intrinsic motivation, serves as a driving force that enables individuals to overcome obstacles and perform at their highest potential.

Why Teams Need Purpose

Having a sense of purpose leads to better job satisfaction and productivity. Here’s why high-performing teams build a sense of purpose:

According to a survey by LinkedIn, employees who feel a sense of purpose are more likely to stay with their company long-term and are more engaged and productive.Purpose-driven companies experience more growth compared to non-purpose-driven companies, according to Harvard Business Review.Successful teams according to researcher Daniel Coyle and author of the culture code have three key elements: belonging, psychological safety, and alignment. Alignment is team purpose and provides a reason for why the team exists, and motivates them into action.Having a team purpose can lead to better prioritization, improved collaboration, and enhanced motivation.

Having a clear team purpose can complement an organization’s purpose by connecting it to everyday activities and giving team members a sense of belonging and a deeper connection to their work. By using the team’s purpose as a compass to guide decision-making, team members can remain aligned and avoid wasting valuable time on less important tasks. 

When team members have a strong sense of purpose at work it leads to numerous benefits, including feeling more motivated and engaged, reducing stress, improving workplace relationships, and bringing personal fulfillment. By designing a powerful team purpose, teams can experience better prioritization, improved collaboration, and enhanced motivation. So why not start working on your team’s purpose today?

Instilling Purpose for High PerformanceCreate a Shared Story

In the pursuit of building a purposeful culture, storytelling and slogans are vital tools. They help create a strong connection between where we are now and where we aspire to be. 

Adam Grant’s research on intrinsic motivation, virtuous behaviors, and the power of purpose provides a compelling example. When he worked with the University of Michigan call center, he discovered that the employees were disheartened by the rejection they faced while soliciting donations from alumni. But when he introduced them to a scholarship recipient named Will, the callers were inspired to work harder and achieved remarkable results. The simple act of meeting Will for just five minutes boosted the number of calls made by 142%, and weekly revenues increased by 172%. This positive trend continued because the “story of Will” inspired a culture where everyone goes above and beyond for a shared, meaningful purpose.

By incorporating stories and slogans, your organization can create a high-purpose environment that is flooded with signals that link present efforts to a meaningful future goal. It’s a powerful way to motivate your team, reminding them of why they work and where they should direct their energy.

Craft a Purpose Statement

In the quest to build a high-performance team, a purpose statement is essential. It’s a brief and concise statement that encapsulates the reason of the team, and how their work fits into the larger picture of the organization.

An effective team purpose statement should answer the following questions:

What does the team do?Who benefits from their work?Why is the team doing what they do?

More importantly, the purpose statement should be meaningful and inspiring to each team member, making them feel their work is worthwhile and contributing to the greater good.

Write a Stump Speech

To clarify your purpose, Susan Scott, Founder of Fierce, Inc., recommends on an annual basis craft a stump speech. This is something most of us are familiar with. Politicians seeking support hone a short pithy speech to rally the troops to get to the polls. In the same spirit, creating a team stump spirit that can be repeated serve to motivate and clarify the purpose of the team. You can think of the stump speech as combining the best of a team story and purpose statement.

These questions will help build your team’s stump speech:Where are you going?Why are you going there?Who is going with you?How are you going to get there?

Make your speech clear and concise so everyone on the team can repeat it to anyone who asks…and even those who don’t.

Summary

In the workplace, a sense of purpose is crucial to building high-performing teams. Having a clear team purpose can complement an organization’s purpose by connecting it to everyday activities and giving team members a sense of belonging and a deeper connection to their work. By using the team’s purpose as a compass to guide decision-making, team members can remain aligned and avoid wasting valuable time on less important tasks.

Ralph Waldo Emerson’s quote sums it up, “The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.”

 

The post Improving Performance Starts with Individual and Team Purpose appeared first on Fierce.