Aligning Your Team for Success
In these challenging times, I have been hearing positive stories of teams coming together to navigate this crisis. Frequent meetings, rapid fire decisions, and team cohesion have helped many companies manage...for the short-term.
In my last newsletter, I shared my top 3 easy-to-implement tips for what leaders can do now to prepare your teams for a successful re-entry into the "new normal".
In addition, many organizations are realizing they need to plan for different scenarios and likely make some very difficult decisions. In facilitating recent strategic alignment sessions for my clients - both virtually and in-person/safely-distanced - I have found these to be the keys to our success:
Ask your team to come prepared to share their point of view on what success looks like on 12/31/20 and what is working for and against us in achieving that. Send out foundational information on the current state of the business and any trends/best practices for your industry in these times of COVID.
Ensure you allow time for active discussion to explore alternative courses of action. Hear each person's perspective then build an aligned plan with clear milestones, due dates, and accountabilities. Determine how you will measure progress and course correct. Consider redesigning your team meeting structure to meet these new demands.
Click here for FireFly's sample strategic alignment agenda.
The first 30 days after this session is most critical. If the team leader doesn't maintain focus and hold people accountable for their commitments, then you will likely lose the momentum you just created for this aligned plan. Keep the plan visible and alive through all your communications, such as staff meetings and one-on-ones.
To help you and your team prepare for making - and executing - those tough decisions that might lie ahead, read on for FireFly's 3 Stage Decision-Making Process...
Kimberly
