Friday, October 24, 2014

After the Storm


 
"After a storm comes a calm."
 
Happy Friday!
 
Based on the reactions I got from the last Daily Crumb, I know many of you can relate to the Storming phase of a developing and dynamic work environment.  Whether you are in a small, intimate work environment or a large one, the process of evolving into a high performing team is the same.
 
There is much pain and emotion required to drive out the behavior that disrupts a teams ability to perform while providing an environment of safety and inclusion.  That process is necessary, because as I have heard it said,

 
"You can't conquer something you won't confront."

 
Many organizations get stuck in the Storming phase because they won't confront.  Conflict is sometimes necessary to provide resolution.  That mandates that a company not be afraid to stop making widgets and focus on the people.  Focusing on the people requires a champion - someone who can arbitrate fairly...without prejudice and bias .
 
Once a champion is identified there are 5 things a leader can do to get the team through the Storm; 
 
#1 - Listen. - There are many sides to any story.  Consider every point to be valid.  Even in what appears to be complaining and finger-pointing, there is a multi-dimensional challenge presented - which will point to a multi-dimensional solution. 

 
"I like to listen. I have learned a great deal from listening carefully.
Most people never listen."
 
 
#2 - See their perspective.  There is an Native American proverb that says, "Never judge a person until you walk a mile in their moccasins".  Empathy means going beyond what you think or feel and seeing things through the eyes of the people on your team.  From the broom room to the board room, everyone has a unique perspective.  Get in touch with it!
 
#3 - Find the common ground.  I understand that not everything can be agreed upon and every strategy can not be built on consensus.  The best leaders can take a collage of ideas and build a unified plan that people can get behind and execute.

 
"I like to see myself as a bridge builder, that is me building bridges between people, between races, between cultures, between politics, trying to find common ground."
 
#4 - Build agreement. Once the plan of getting the team through the storm has been developed, you have to get buy-in.  Sure, not everyone will agree on every point but once the plan is made, there can be no dissention or distraction.  This is the moment where everyone should "speak now, or hold their peace".
 
#5 - Stick to it.  Some of the detractors of the team are waiting to see if the plan will be followed through.  The worse thing an organization can do is announce something and then not do it.  That is where some of the storming comes from - not being able to rely on the last memo or initiative.  Good leaders follow through on promises.
 
"Be like a postage stamp. Stick to one thing until you get there."
 
To my leaders that are fighting to get their teams to work together, to accomplish greater things, I know what is like to fight the complex battles.  I also know what it is like to take people through this difficult stage into high performance.  I can tell you it is worth it.  Let me encourage the leaders and the members of the team that it can get better and that there is high-performance peace... 
 
After the Storm!
 
Until Monday, I wish you Money, Power, Success!  

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