Getting time on your side
Time is a hot-button topic teams discuss when they’re using Teamworks to map the forces working for and against them. That’s probably because time can be a team’s secret weapon or its worst enemy. It all depends on how you approach it. Unfortunately, teams who feel most pressed for time rarely hit pause to think […]
Feeling uninspired? Pull out The Art of Possibility
Recently, we asked our colleagues at SYPartners and our Teamworks community what books are on your short list for any manager. We got so many great responses — from tried-and-true classics to new discoveries. So, we decided to create a new feature on the blog: Books We Love. Every few weeks or so, we’ll post […]
How to get around unexpected obstacles
Every project begins with a great plan, but unanticipated bumps and hurdles always pop up along the way. That’s when a reframing exercise we call “the obstacle course” comes in handy. Here’s how it works: • Grab a bunch of index cards, and on each one write down an obstacle blocking the team. • Talk about each […]
— Howard Behar
How vulnerability can be a source of strength
Poke around any organization, and you’ll find managers who lead from a place of fear. The ones who assert their authority and shut down opposing points of view. Who rarely let down their guard or admit uncertainty. Maybe you’ve worked for this person in the past — maybe you’ve even been this person in the past.
A quick way to gauge the team’s belief level
Sometimes, team members have reservations that (for whatever reason) they don’t feel comfortable stating outright. Maybe they think no one else shares the same thoughts, and they don’t want to be the naysayer. Or maybe they’ve got a feeling they can’t quite put into words. Which is why we’re fans of gut checking the team’s […]
Lessons learned from the team behind Teamworks
Last week marked a big milestone for Teamworks. As we ramp up from a private beta to a public one, it seemed like a ripe moment to step back and reflect on a few lessons we’ve learned (or relearned).
How to re-instill belief and trust
Change can be experienced as either loss or opportunity. Sometimes change can result in a loss of belief or trust within the team. When that happens, it’s the responsibility of the manager to re-instill both. Inspired by some sage advice from this Dennis Reina article on Switch and Shift, we recommend these three actions: • […]