Latest Post
Smart Teams Use Three Practices
We live in a Leadership time where good teams will always do better than individual contributors. No more lone-rangers. The brilliant individuals who cannot or will not function well within a team will over time be shown the door! In today’s post, Dan Rockwell share three practices that smart teams practice.
Guest Post by Dan Rockwell
Smart teams outperform smart individuals. Use these practices to build one you’re proud to lead.
3 Practices That Build Smart Teams
#1 Expand the lens
- Ask “What are we missing?”
- Rotate the role of devil’s advocate.
- In conflict, ask, “What are we learning?”
- Reframe from the view of a customer, competitor, or colleague.
- Ask teammates to explain the other person’s position before their own.
- Hold cross-functional meetings.
- Debrief with curiosity. After decisions or conflicts, explore how each person saw the situation and why.
#2 Turn-taking
Teams are dumb when a few members dominate the conversation.
- Ask for conclusions first. Explanations follow.
- Pass an item that indicates the right to speak—a ball, rubber ducky, or flashlight.
- Invite each person to contribute before opening the floor for discussion.
- Start with quieter voices. Give them prep time before the meeting.
- Pause to process between speakers.
- Designate someone to monitor who speaks and who hasn’t.
- Give each person a set amount of time to speak.
Note: Sometimes experts should contribute more. But be aware of a novice’s creativity.
More: 7 Ways to Make All Teams Smarter
#3 Curiosity
- Hold curiosity rounds. Bombard the issue with “how,” “why,” or “what if” questions.
- Honor curiosity-driven inquiries. “Thank you for asking.”
- Welcome unexpected ideas or concerns as opportunities to learn.
- Expect leaders to say “I wonder if…” or “I’m curious about…”
- End meetings with, “What made you think differently today?”
More: Curiosity – Remarkable Practices, Unexpected Benefits
Smart teams…
- Accept confusion without ridicule.
- Respond supportively to feedback or bad news.
- Show curiosity when something goes wrong.
- Welcome constructive dissent.
- Don’t interrupt.
Smart teams are never an accident. They’re built, not born.
What’s one practice you’ll try in your next team meeting?
What’s missing from these smart team strategies?
Evidence for a Collective Intelligence Factor in the Performance of Human Groups
What Google Learned From Its Quest to Build the Perfect Team
Recent Posts
TWO ESSENTIAL ASPECTS OF LEADERSHIP
Under "Leadership From the Heart" at the top of this web site is Psalm 78:72 which is my favorite verse on leadership: "With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hands." ESV It speaks of two essential aspects of leadership; The heart and...
Speech Therapy to Say No
For years I have said two things to people I coach and work with: Say yes to less Say no to a lot of things so you can say yes to a few things Through the years, I've come to believe that lots of leaders struggle with saying no to people and opportunities. In today's...
TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK
I readily give John Maxwell credit for the title of this blog. I believe it with all my heart. The day of the Lone Ranger doing the job all by himself is over. The independent-wip-the-town-into-shape-by-yourself reputation of Clint Eastwood and John Wayne is...
Some Incredibly important (but uncomfortable) Questions To Ask Ourselves!
I'm always interested in "Questions" to ask myself which would help me grow: As a man, a Christian, a Leader, a Father and a Grandfather This last week I came across these. Buckle-up for a Creative and Probing ride! Originally Posted by:Morgan Housel ...
TWO THINGS EVERY LEADER NEEDS TO BE ABLE TO DO BUT MANY DON’T KNOW HOW TO DO OR DON’T WANT TO DO!
At times you just gotta do it, tough as it may be! There are many things excellent leaders do and do well. Here are two that I believe every leader needs to be able and willing to do, but many are neither willing or able. 1. ...
Post Search
Click the button below to receive all of Dave’s weekly posts to your email
Recent Comments