At Enerpace, we know that the only way to elevate your company is to elevate your people and your teams. So how do you know if your team is functioning well? By asking one very simple question: does it achieve the purpose for which is was created? By definition, a team should have common goals and objectives. The different members play different roles but they are dependent upon each other for success. Some questions to ask: Why does this team exist? What ...
It's a topic that I have discussed before but important enough to repeat. The #1 rule is to remain professional at all times. You worked hard to create those relationships! You want to leave with integrity and with your head held high. Here are "3 Do's" when resigning from your job. Write a short letter of resignation and express appreciation for the opportunity to work with the firm and the people. Next, make sure that you tie up as many loose ends ...
A truly introverted boss is someone who is energized internally and drained by being in groups with other people for an extended period of time. This can be challenging if they don't proactively seek to be included in conversations and meetings where important relationships are formed and where key information is shared. That can really hinder the boss' ability to get things done and can prevent his/her employees from having the information and connections to advance their projects or even in their career. What's ...
Companies should respond immediately because this type of behavior damages the psychological safety that’s so integral to a healthy company culture. In most cases, this type of behavior is also violating company values, whether implicitly or explicitly. Other employees observing this behavior will logically question if they want to remain associated with a firm that tolerates this type of behavior. At a time when companies are having such difficulty attracting and retaining employees, behavior like this can seriously negatively impact your brand as ...
When you are ready to resign, the #1 rule is to remain professional at all times. Write a short letter of resignation and express appreciation for the opportunity to work with the firm and the people. Bring that letter to your direct manager or supervisor if you are physically located in the same office. Otherwise, email is fine with a follow-up phone call letting your boss know it has been sent. Start the conversation with a simple statement - "While I greatly appreciate the opportunities and learning I've ...
How do you hold your employees accountable? Accountability best practices apply just as well when folks are working remotely as when they’re in the office. Here are some key things to remember: Make sure to define what success looks like. Is it solving a problem? Creating something new? Writing a business plan? How much leeway does the employee have in terms of what the result looks like? Make sure the goal contains all of the “SMART” criteria – it’s specific, measurable, attainable, rewarding and has a ...
If your boss keeps shutting down your ideas, it is absolutely appropriate to investigate a bit. Try the following approaches/words that work: It seems like my idea wasn’t appropriate here. What would make my idea a better fit? (OR More realistic? OR Work for our team?) Many times when I offer ideas, they don’t seem to be well-received. What would make them more valuable to you? How do you like to receive suggestions? I love brainstorming and generating new ideas. I notice that mine don’t seem to fly. Would you provide ...
So, how do you keep two different teams functioning as separate entities working together? In our work with companies and teams, we’ve found the following best practices to be helpful: Create shared goals – if the teams have common objectives against which their success will be judged, it creates an incentive to stay aligned. Many companies tie variable compensation/bonuses to the shared goals as well, so that everyone operates for the greater good of the company instead of focusing only on what’s best ...
Most in-person team building activities focus on building trust and deepening relationships – both of which requires getting to know people. Luckily, the getting to know someone, getting a sense of who they are as a person can be done virtually quite easily. Take a few minutes at the start of a team meeting to go around the room and have each person check in with something beyond work or about them as a person. One effective technique is the “rose & thorn” – share ...
Here are some of my favorite preparation tips: Practicing is critical. Practicing on film is best. You can see what gestures look awkward, how fast/slow you’re going, etc. Make sure you NAIL the intro and the ending. Those create your first and last impressions. Make them interesting and memorable. Use visuals/stories/etc. Learn from Steve Jobs – less is more. Less words, more images. Breathe! Deep, slow, steady breaths. Vary your pace, inflection and volume – use all aspects of your voice as the ...
