Do This to Energize Teams
You believe the path you’re on leads to Oz. Perhaps it does. But it might lead to flying monkeys that tear your team apart.
Sincerity isn’t enough to energize teams.
Sincerity isn’t skill.
You can be sincere and do stupid things. You can work to energize your team and end up draining them.
Do this to energize teams:
You say something sincere like, “I’m worried we won’t reach our goal.” The team thinks you don’t believe in them.
Teams perform poorly when leaders don’t have confidence in them.
Fearful leaders unintentionally tear down teams.
Listen to fear. Speak with courage.
Courage doesn’t minimize challenges.
Courage and fear co-exist. Novices pretend hard things are easy. Don’t pretend a rocky path is smooth. But don’t wring your hands in fear either.
Courage says:
- “The hill is steep. I believe we can make it.”
- “This challenge is going to take the best we got.”
- “We’ve done hard things before. This might be the hardest one yet. I’m calling you to bring your best.”
If you don’t believe you can win, quit so you can fight another day.
If you believe you can win, don’t say, “I’m worried we’re going to lose.”
Believe they will rise. Courage energizes teams.
Listen to fear. Speak with love.
Fear seeks to protect itself. Love seeks to advantage others.
Energize teams by seeking their best interests.
Listen to fear. Turn to the mission.
Fear is a “don’t want” emotion. When you’re fearful, turn toward a positive goal.
Energize teams by turning to “do want”.
Project:
List your fears and use them to identify future-facing goals. Acknowledge what you don’t want. Focus on what you want.
What might leaders do that unintentionally drains teams?
What energizes teams?
Still curious:
12 Questions Guaranteed to Energize People
5 Energizing Conversation Starters for One-on-Ones
Leaders need to convince teams the goal is achievable and the plan or process they are putting in place will make it happen.
Keep your eye on the goal but concentrate on the process. Get the team to focus on working the process and improving their performance each day.
What drains team members is when priorities are constantly changing and there is confusion and busy work that wastes time and doesn’t produce meaningful results.
What energizes teams are short term wins. When teams members see improvement they become more committed to the process.
We don’t need a touchdown. We just need a first down.
Reminds me of Joshua 1:9
I hear you Eric and raise you Joshua 14:12.