What do you think when you hear the words team building? Maybe you think what is that or is that about trust falls. Maybe you feel sad because that used to be something that happened when you were in an office outside of your home.
Team building is about connection. It is about learning about those we work with, establishing trust that helps us solve challenges and accomplish great things. The most successful teams spend time not only setting goals but also regularly connecting on a human level, listening to each other, establishing respect and trust.
In this new remote world, this is an area I have definitely had to evolve as a leader. I have missed the ease of grabbing a meal with my team, going to an event, celebrating victories (and the failures we learn from), and the power of brainstorming big, bright futures together in a new environment with whiteboards and sticky notes. My team and I may be remote, but that just means we’ve had to find new ways to connect.
This week on Learning to Lead the live clubhouse discussions, we talked about the importance of team building, how to do it, and how it can be useful and fun! Here are a few takeaways from the discussion:
Cohesive teams perform better: When your team is cohesive and trusts each other it helps them perform better in times of crisis, as well as being able to accomplish great things.
Change the scenery: One of the reasons retreats can be so powerful is because it shifts the environment and helps your team think differently. Retreats can blend the fun of non-work activities, with big strategic thinking and goal setting.
Remember Vertical and Horizontal Team Building: be intentional about the team you manage directly, as well as your peers. Your peers are critical to your continued growth, can help support you and your team, as well as potentially become part of your personal board of directors.
Make it Authentic: team building gets a bad wrap when it doesn’t allow people to be real with each other, see the value, and follow through. Make sure what you do is authentic and resonates with your team and mission. Also, ensure it is authentic to who you are as a leader. Try bringing some of your interests into team building activities. It will help your team get to know you as well.
Remember remote teams need team building too: remote environments can create loneliness for existing and new team members. Check-in with your team, find small ways to recognize them individually and collectively.
Culture Check: pay attention to “we used to do it this way” thinking from team members wishing nothing had changed or that they could go back in time. That thinking can easily become toxic. In your team-building, focus on the future, go forward, and continuous learning.
Be Intentional and Consistent: find a cadence that works for continuous team-building and annual or bi-annual strategic sessions.
Get a good facilitator: when you do a strategic or goal-setting event, make sure you get a good facilitator who is outside your team, that way everyone, including you, can be present and fully participate.
Involve your team! As a leader, you don’t need to have all the answers. Involve your team in ideas and planning so they become more invested.
Don’t Forget to Have Fun: doing fun activities like virtual food tastings, bringing a farm animal to your meetings (see resources, this is real), or breaking bread together is important to help people let their guards down and connect as individuals outside of the day to day work.
Remember, as a leader you set the tone. What does it mean to be on your team? What do you stand for and how do you communicate those values? How will others not only follow but lead alongside you? Build your team so they will be unstoppable.
Quote of the Week
Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success. - Henry Ford
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Resources
WIT@WORK: trying to improv at work to improve communication and have some fun
Second City Works: engaging, fun virtual learning and on-demand digital content help dispersed teams stay connected, engaged, and performing at their best.
Middle Ground Farms: offsite location for team building and getting to know each other. Visit a farm, learn how to cook meals, and break bread together.
Virtual Tea Tasting: great fun activity for remote teams
Goat-2-Meeting: Invite a Farm Animal to your meeting
Escape Rooms: team build by solving puzzles and having fun
Listen to the Full Replay
Events
Adobe Max The Creativity Conference - A free virtual event October 26–28 to find inspiration, connect with creatives from around the world, and learn the best ways to bring your best ideas to life.
Fast Company Agenda 2022: Rethink, Reimagine, Reinvent - a virtual summit on November 10, 2022 offers a lively glimpse into the new year, with a special emphasis on the way technology will continue to transform and reinvent business, society, and the way we work.
Ted Women Conference December 2021 - a conference about the power of women and girls to be creators and change-makers. The program of speakers, workshops, events — and daring discussions — has sparked some of TED's most iconic moments yet.
DO Lectures Wales July 2022 - a few days that could change your life - "You shouldn't come to the DO Lectures if you aren't willing to say goodbye to the old you." Mills.
Networking
Are you hiring? Send your job to be included in this newsletter and connect with leaders in our network
Are you looking for a new job or opportunity? Keep an eye on the network section of this newsletter going forward.
Next time on Learning to Lead: What is your leadership style?
Join us LIVE in the official Learning to Lead Clubhouse Saturday, October 30, 2021 from 9:30-10:30 am PT.
Is there a topic you’d like us to cover? Do you have any questions for the Learning to Lead team? Comment or DM me.
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