Eulogies at work?

Twice over the last week, clients have said “that felt like a living funeral”. The first example was Gary Connolly's comment as the team he leads invested time reflecting on achievements, challenges and learnings over the past few years. The second example was a session with another team, where Alitta Meijer commented on team members acknowledging each others strengths and contribution to the team.

The definition of a eulogy (according to the Oxford dictionary) is “a speech or piece of writing praising somebody/something very much, often as part of a funeral”. Appreciating achievement and acknowledging tough times should be a regular practice, for individuals and teams at work. Don’t wait for a funeral (or someone’s leaving function) to acknowledge them!

#eulogy#teamcoaching#acknowledgement

If you and your team would like to build regular eulogies into your work life, please get in touch.

Sigh... "Ujjayi"

I put up my Christmas decorations this week end (yes I know its October) and I was reflecting on this year so far. Many of my clients say they have "given up on this year", just hanging in and doing what they need to and survive. Fair enough! Self compassion and self care is important, and sometimes doing the bare minimum is the right thing to do for a while.

If you are familiar with yoga, you will know about "Ujjayi". Surrendering in a resting posture, letting go of your ego, and taking full deep audible breaths that sound like sighing. I can see how this concept would be relevant or both leaders and teams right now.

If you would like to talk through where you or your team are at, how you can let go of your ego(s) and practice the equivalent of "Ujjayi", please get in touch.

#sigh#ujjayi#teamcoaching#leadershipcoaching

(This is my actual advent calendar btw with very yummy chocolates inside each little house).

The long and winding road...

to High Performing Team (HPT) development. As Peter Hawkins says “The team development journey should never be seen as a place of arrival … the environment, subsystems and interrelationships between them are constantly changing.”

I am working intensively with a team that I have known for a very long time. They are taking time out to reflect on where they were, are, and want to be. It is proving to be a very powerful exercise resulting in a huge amount learning and connection. And there sure have been some bumps in that road. Part of the story that stands out for me is the significant impact the unpredictable environment has on the teams ability to stick to agreed focus areas and plans.

If you would like to understand more about HPT's and how your team can learn collectively through reflection, please get in touch.

#highperformingteams#reflection#teamlearning#longandwindingroad