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Leading Better Teams

Leading Better Teams

Author: Leigh Ann Rodgers

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Leading teams is tough. Leading hybrid or remote teams? Even tougher. New workplace dynamics can create employee tension and communication issues that can overwhelm the best leaders. The leadership challenge of engaging remote employees and leading virtual teams is a skill that all leaders must develop as the future of work is here. Companies are made up of people - like you and me - who are ideally working together toward a common goal. But we’re complicated human beings and when put together in a corporate/business environment, any number of things can go right or wrong.

I’m your host, Leigh Ann Rodgers - world-renowned human potential expert, speaker, author, and CEO of Better Teams. My mission is to help leaders of all kinds to build better teams around the globe so that employees are happy, engaged, and productive. Implementing the most effective and latest models served up humor, happiness, and a dash of southern charm results in positive transformations time after time.

Each month, you can expect to hear from me and other industry experts on how to effectively manage remote teams making them positive and happy. I’ll offer real world examples from my on-going work and be real about the challenges and celebrate victories that I see. I’ll also offer quick tips and tools that are my way of giving you actionable knowledge so that you, too, can help in the mission to build and lead better teams the world over.

This podcast has been created to reach more people, executives, teams to benefit individuals, and can make corporations more human-centered. This show is for leaders seeking new ways to engage remote and hybrid teams and employees and who need practical tips and tools to lead with confidence.

The recognition that humans are complicated and motivated in all different ways allows me to be empathic and listen more deeply to what’s being said, and what’s not being said so that I can understand the entire team's values, ways of working and, ultimately, drive. It’s my whole-human approach that separates my work from the rest and has allowed me to walk among people employed at the smallest of local firms, non-profit organizations, government agencies like the Center for Disease Control (CDC), multinational companies and the world’s biggest brands like MARS, Whirlpool, and Kelloggs. I’ve been privileged to be in company with thousands of humans around the world - team members, frontline workers, and the most powerful executives. But as many as I’ve impacted, I cannot do this work alone. That’s why I created Forward - a trusted community of global industry professionals and now this podcast - so that we call can network, learn from one another, share new ideas, ask for help, and experiment with new ideas so this work can reach far and wide.

In my work as team builder, facilitator, and focus group moderator, people are moved to action by my expertise, and my undying curiosity about people and the never-ending stream of new tools and technologies that are consistently being developed to help teams and people be more productive. My job is to sort through all the information and apply my hands-on knowledge about work - what it is today and what it’s evolving into tomorrow. The world of work and people have been forever changed. It’s up to people like me who can clearly see the impact on people and teams to interpret the trends, test and analyze frameworks and tools to uncover what works most effectively, and take these learnings and put them into practice for teams large and small around the globe.
11 Episodes
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 >> Connect with Leigh Ann: www.better-teams.com>> Get the Better-Teams model to identify your team’s strengths and greatest opportunities using a common language here: https://better-teams.com/better-teams-model/ >> Join FORWARD https://leigh-ann-rodgers.mykajabi.com/join-forward 
😞 So many people are feeling isolated due to pandemic. 1:02😟 We are Zoomed out and missing out on real connections. 2:56💡 How to recreate office closeness virtually? 05:11💻 1. Audio-visual connections and finding flexibility. 09:11🖥️ 2. Using a dedicated channel to connect only to a personal level. 11:32🎯 Even if you are not a social leader, participate in the team’s chatter and learn about them. 15:26😎 LBT Trivia Question: What decreases blood pressure, releases endorphins, increases your chances of promotion, and boosts your immune system, yet is contagious? 17:24🤝 3. Match-Ups: we naturally gravitate towards people who are like us. 18:50👍 Create a forced connection to kickstart a new relationship between teammates for just 15 minutes. 21:25☀️ One more way of creating match-ups. 24:14🗣️Offer conversation starter questions for your pairs. 24:45🤩 Better-teams blog post: 18 questions for starting a conversation https://better-teams.com/18-icebreaker-questions-to-get-to-know-your-team/  25:10⭐ As leaders, we must put energy into forging connections, which can sometimes get lost in the work. 28:24🚩 Leading Better Teams Challenge. >> Connect with Leigh Ann: www.better-teams.com>> 18 Questions to start a conversation: https://better-teams.com/18-icebreaker-questions-to-get-to-know-your-team/ >> Get the Better-Teams model to identify your team’s strengths and greatest opportunities using a common language here: https://better-teams.com/better-teams-model/  >> Join FORWARD https://leigh-ann-rodgers.mykajabi.com/join-forward 
💨 Why do we avoid, accommodate or compromise in conflict situations? 1:30💣 If we don't talk about unspoken issues openly and constructively, it will drain us. 3:25✨ The Thomas Kilmann Instrument (TKI) conflict management instrument. 04:29🐘 Steps for addressing the elephant in the room. 9:181️⃣ Be sure you are in the right mindset first. How to do that? 10:462️⃣ Choose your timing and approach wisely, and what to consider.14:44☝️ A good question to ask yourself about your objectivity! 18:033️⃣ Acknowledge and name the elephant in the room.18:41🙃 Team assessment is a great way to address the elephant too. 22:58🌸 LBT Trivia question: How do elephants communicate? 26:294️⃣ Establish the intention and ground rules to create a safe environment. 27:255️⃣ Moving into the discussion and identifying solutions. 30:236️⃣ Follow up and have accountability checks. 32:45🚩 Leading Better Teams Challenge. 35:32Connect with Leigh Ann: www.better-teams.comJoin FORWARD https://leigh-ann-rodgers.mykajabi.com/join-forward Check out the Better Teams Assessment https://better-teams.com/assessment/Connect with Wanda Walker -Uniquely Yours Consulting & More, LLC https://uycllc.com/about-us , Twitter: @uycllcWandaElephant facts: https://www.wwf.org.uk/learn/fascinating-facts/elephants
🤕I’ve experienced the feeling of falling behind on many things during the last year. 1:59👍 Reframing my thinking and the new learning process has allowed me to catch back up. 3:15⏩ ‘Forward’ is my online community for leaders and facilitators. 5:34👣 A 4-step process to understand FOFB - fear of falling behind. 8:08🤔 Ask yourself - Are you really falling behind? 8:31🔔 LBT Trivia Question: What do 75% of super-achievers have in common? 9:455️⃣ Does it really matter if you are falling behind? Find the root of it by using the 5 Whys technique. 10:50⏳ Do I want to do it and do I need to do it are great questions, but be realistic about your time too. 13:18🍂 Our life comes in segments and there are seasons for some decisions. 15:53🏆 Importance of a good, diverse team. 14:25🥅 Are we realistic or is our bar too high? 17:02📋 Make your plan to accomplish your goal. 19:31🚩 Leading Better Teams Challenge. 22:58 >> Connect with Leigh Ann: www.better-teams.com>> Get the Better-Teams model to identify your team’s strengths and greatest opportunities using a common language here: https://better-teams.com/better-teams-model/ >> Join FORWARD https://leigh-ann-rodgers.mykajabi.com/join-forward >> Collaboration tools mentioned:  Mural, Miro, Klaxoon
⚠️ All teams have at least one area where the team is not fully aligned. 01:02⚡ What are the challenges when aligning a team? 02:27🤔 What is team alignment? 06:22🧐 What does a team need to be aligned around? 08:04🚘 LBT Trivia Question: How often should you align your car tires? 10:28🌞 Re-aligning your team is a very proactive approach. 11:192️⃣ Roles and responsibilities while aligning your team. 12:02🔥 Using the RACI Method for role agreements. 14:42📝 Let’s talk about job procedures, and team norms.18:01✨ The Distinctive Leader exercise. 19:43✌️ Alignment is critical for the health of your team. 22:12🤓 The Better Teams Challenge 22:42LinksBetter Teams Assessment https://better-teams.com/assessment/RACI Method  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Responsibility_assignment_matrix Better Teams blog post mentioning Mark Smith’s book - The Distinctive Leader  https://better-teams.com/best-team-culture/ The Distinctive Leader, by Mark Smith https://www.amazon.com/Distinctions-Lessons-Leadership-Mark-Smith-ebook/dp/B017FCVR1QBetter Teams Model  https://better-teams.com/better-teams-model/ >> Connect with Leigh Ann: www.better-teams.com>> Get the Better-Teams model to identify your team’s strengths and greatest opportunities using a common language here: https://better-teams.com/better-teams-model/ >> Join FORWARD https://leigh-ann-rodgers.mykajabi.com/join-forward
🛀 Calgon, “Take me away!” 01:01😞 Three out of four people say they’re feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope with stress. 02:33🤷‍♀️ Being the victim of our circumstances is an easy role to play.  04:19🙅‍♀️ “I'm busy”. It's code for “I'm stressed” but how to change that?   05:54🧣 The SCARF model. 08:08👑 We all desire status in our lives. 11:01👩‍⚕️ What is dopamine and how can status overwhelm us? 12:08😒 What have you said yes to, because you saw it as an opportunity to increase your status, but that you later regretted? 14:01🤩 Certainty and Autonomy. 13:38⛓️ What are you holding on to that someone else could do? 19:01🫂 Relatedness is how we feel connected to others. 19:50🧠 LBT trivia question: What is the hormone released in our brains when we feel connected to other people? 21:06🧐 Are you letting your need for relationships interfere with your judgment about workload distribution? 23:00❓ Fairness is about our desire for equal exchange between groups for people but are you being fair to yourself? 23:18🚩 Leading Better Teams Challenge. 26:20Old Calgon Commercial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yjgPgs0_S0Your Brain at Work:  Strategies for Overcoming Distraction, Regaining Focus, and Working Smarter All Day Long, by David RockSCARF Model>> Connect with Leigh Ann: www.better-teams.com>> Get the Better-Teams model to identify your team’s strengths and greatest opportunities using a common language here: https://better-teams.com/better-teams-model/ >> Join FORWARD https://leigh-ann-rodgers.mykajabi.com/join-forward
Leaders report being overwhelmed at an alarming rate. 01:021️⃣  Thinking versus feeling. 03:28🤩  Name it to tame it. 05:05🪜  The tool of using a scale from 1 to 10 to assess emotions. 06:07✍️  Write it down! 07:11🧠  LBT Trivia Question: How many pieces of information can we hold in our minds at one time? 08:272️⃣  The chunking technique. 09:09🙋 Ask your team about their progress each day. 13:273️⃣  Four different ways to prioritize. 13:54⚖️  Eisenhower Matrix or the urgent importance scale. 15:28🔤  ABC 123 method. 16:03🐸  Do we do the quick ones first? versus “Eating the frog” 17:26🤔  Pick your top three things for the week, month, quarter, year. 19:144️⃣  Schedule it in technique. 20:25💐  Batching work. 23:03🚩 Leading Better Teams Challenge. 24:55LinksDan Siegel, Name It To Tame It YouTube Videohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcDLzppD4Jc Psychology Today Scale of 1 to 10 Stress Reduction https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/joyful-parenting/201602/how-the-scaling-question-can-help-you-reduce-stress-20UK Study on Stresshttps://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/statistics/mental-health-statistics-stress#:~:text=Results%20of%20the%20Mental%20Health%20Foundation's%202018%20study&text=In%20the%20past%20year%2C%2074,overwhelmed%20or%20unable%20to%20cope.Forbes Study of Feeling Overwhelmed https://www.forbes.com/sites/joefolkman/2015/07/23/feeling-overwhelmed-you-are-far-from-alone/?sh=222653ce19a4LBT Trivia question - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2864034/Writing it down -  https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/memory-catcher/201710/is-it-better-write-hand-or-computerMinds hold 3 - 5 pieces of information (This is the trivia question - you have the link above)Eisenhower Matrix -https://www.eisenhower.me/eisenhower-matrix/ ABC123 Method - no reference for thisMichael Hyatt book: Free to Focus, Michael Hyatt >> Connect with Leigh Ann: www.better-teams.com>> Get the Better-Teams model to identify your team’s strengths and greatest opportunities using a common language here: https://better-teams.com/better-teams-model/ >> Join FORWARD https://leigh-ann-rodgers.mykajabi.com/join-forward
🙄 The two reasons teams do not like changes. 01:22🤓 Many people are considering quitting jobs, so we need to adapt to retain our teams. 03:02📈 Bruce Tuckman’s stages of group development model. 04:11▶️ Coming together: Forming. 04:44🧠 The Storming phase. 05:52💪 The Norming phase and Performing. 06:34😇 Storming is a normal, natural process - so embrace this phase. 08:12🧠  LBT Trivia Question: How many thunderstorms are happening in the world right now? 11:48🗣️ Storming teams: The importance of communication during a time of change is huge. 12:18👂 Boost the number of check-ins with your team. 14:27🎧 Check out Episode #4 - 3 Ways to Align Your Team Around Goals, Roles, and Methods. 15:13⌚ When is the time for negotiation to kick in? 15:423️⃣  Three BOLD Leadership Questions, with Gisele Shelley Garcia. 16:50📖  “Changes are inevitable, and not always controllable. What can be controlled is how you manage, react, and work through the change process.” Kelly A. Morgan 17:49🚩 Leading Better Teams Challenge. 19:00https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/19/1-in-4-workers-is-considering-quitting-their-job-after-the-pandemic.htmlBetter Teams Assessment https://better-teams.com/assessment/Bruce Tuckman’s Model: http://web.mit.edu/curhan/www/docs/Articles/15341_Readings/Group_Dynamics/Tuckman_1965_Developmental_sequence_in_small_groups.pdfActivity Stages of Our Team https://leigh-ann-rodgers.mykajabi.com/better-teams-stages-of-our-teamGisele Shelley Garcia BOLD Leadership https://theglenbrookgroup.com/womens-leadership/>> Connect with Leigh Ann: www.better-teams.com>> Get the Better-Teams model to identify your team’s strengths and greatest opportunities using a common language here: https://better-teams.com/better-teams-model/ >> Join FORWARD https://leigh-ann-rodgers.mykajabi.com/join-forward
🌟 Appreciation matters. 01:11🎯 Five core needs according to Maslow. 02:04🤩 Another way to think about appreciation. 04:271️⃣ Words of affirmation should be genuine, specific, and timely. 06:40🖥️ Creative approaches to words of affirmation 08:062️⃣ Acts of service. 15:47💪 Practical advice to implement acts of service. 16:19🤔 Better Teams Trivia Question: What is going to increase the pleasure for the receiver of a gift more?18:533️⃣ Appreciation with gifts. 21:534️⃣ Touch, as the fourth area of appreciation. 27:565️⃣ Quality time 28:59🪅 Fun and interesting ways to spend quality time. 30:58🚩 Leading Better Teams Challenge 36:43Facts at the beginning - https://hbr.org/2016/05/recognizing-employees-is-the-simplest-way-to-improve-moralehttps://www.tinypulse.com/blog/sk-employee-recognition-statsMaslow’s Hierarchy of Needs https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow%27s_hierarchy_of_needs  Book:  The 5 Languages of Appreciation by Gary Chapman and Paul White https://www.appreciationatwork.com/5-languages-appreciation-workplace-improve-employee-engagement/ Kudo Board - https://www.kudoboard.com/ Celebration Gallery - https://better-teams.com/a-celebration-gallery-to-acknowledge-team-members/Certificates - https://better-teams.com/reward-recognize-a-virtual-team-with-certificates/Trivia - https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_psychology_can_help_you_choose_a_great_gift >> Connect with Leigh Ann: www.better-teams.com>> Get the Better-Teams model to identify your team’s strengths and greatest opportunities using a common language here: https://better-teams.com/better-teams-model/ >> Join FORWARD https://leigh-ann-rodgers.mykajabi.com/join-forward
👩‍🎓 Leigh Ann founded the Team Consultant Academy in 2019. 01:02🙃 Executive coach Gayle Ely of Total Life Leadership on psychological well-being of employees. 03:24👓 Improvement leader Danielle Freeman of The Clorox Company on lack of clarity. 06:40😷 Wanda Walker from Uniquely Yours on the changes the pandemic brought and insights into organizational culture.09:59↘️Charterworks newsletter, McKinsey & Co. Knowledge Partner - reducing likelihood that women and people of color fall behind. 12:29🗓️ How teams use ‘hub weeks’ to come together 13:25.🥖 LBT Trivia Question: Where did the word culture originate from? 14:19🎯 Alex Suchman of Barometer Interactive on using games to promote strong team culture and identity. 15:00🤗 Innovation coach Mary Bolander of Mary Bolander LLC on solving creativity challenges. 19:015️⃣ The five steps of Design Thinking. 22:19🚩 Leading Better Teams Challenge. 23:26Join Forward & Get Your 1st month free using the coupon code: LeadingBetterTeams  https://leigh-ann-rodgers.mykajabi.com/join-forward >>Join Me in my Team Consultant Academy https://leigh-ann-rodgers.mykajabi.com/enroll-in-team-consultant-academy-aug-2021-cohort-1-1 >>Connect with guests:Gayle Ely, MBA, PCC  https://www.total-life-leadership.com/  Danielle S. Freeman, CMF, CVF https://www.linkedin.com/in/cidanielle/Wanda N. Walker, CLSSGB, CVF  https://uycllc.com/Alex Suchman, PMP https://www.barometerxp.com/Mary Bolander https://www.linkedin.com/in/marybolander/>>Links mentioned:Charterworks Newsletter, Knowledge Partner McKinsey & Co. https://www.charterworks.comDesign Thinking https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Design_thinking >> Connect with Leigh Ann: www.better-teams.com>> Get the Better-Teams model to identify your team’s strengths and greatest opportunities using a common language here: https://better-teams.com/better-teams-model/ 
📰 Erin’s media career: Modernising the New York Times.  02:15💫 Showcasing the vision for the future and shaping beliefs and priorities around that future. 04:22🔀 Flexibility is here to stay: hybrid work model is the most preferred type of work but comes with challenges. 05:16⚗️ Using Experimentation to get the hybrid model right: HubSpot and three different models employees can choose from. 07:56😍 This time of great transformation: Sharing and connecting with people, understanding mental health, understanding that inclusion and diversity are about power.10:32🙃 Difference between individual contributor and manager. 12:41🤓 Leaders now have to learn a whole different way of leadership. 15:30💯 Looking at employee's well-being, more holistically, not just between nine to five.17:56🤝 Focusing on helping managers to figure out their priorities - personally and professionally. 20:08🏆 The highest rated companies this year are the ones that are actively caring for employees and communities by building trust, flexibility, autonomy, and greater clarity in their organization. 23:55😊 The ability to empathize is critical. 27:33🤩 High performing teams have high-quality connections: Collective weeks off, mentorship circles and red, yellow, green exercise. 28:40📋 Tips and studies on how to get the benefits of hybrid work. 33:04👂 Finding things in common: one on one 5-minute breakout exercise. 36:49✌️ Start small, show the vulnerability to your team. The #1 driver of successful teams is psychological safety. 39:52😎 Sign up for Charter’s newsletter: Research findings on best business practices and cliff notes of new business books. 41:16Linkswww.charterworks.comTeam Building Activities: https://better-teams.com/team-building-ideas/>> Connect with Leigh Ann: www.better-teams.com>> Get the Better-Teams model to identify your team’s strengths and greatest opportunities using a common language here: https://better-teams.com/better-teams-model/ 🖼️ Connect with Leigh Ann’ on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leighannrodgers/
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