COVID19 sucks!
COVID19 is our crucible. We will cross this Rubicon. We are going to get to the other side. The question is what’s the team going to look like on the other side? Is it going to be weakened? Or do we decide to start bringing the team together now, so we become stronger before we get back to our places of work?
When the pandemic is over we could choose to be stronger than the team that was forced to go into this lockdown.
After the pandemic, there’s going to be a race to grab market share and get back to business as usual. We could choose not to get back to business as usual. We could take our game to a much higher level? We could come back stronger than ever before.
It’s hard to believe we’ve gotten through March, right? It’s been challenging for everyone. We’re all working from home, we’re trying to figure out how to get through this. The one thing I do know is the way to get through it is for us to come together as one team.
I’m gonna share with you a six-step process that will bring your team together, even if your team is scattered all across the world. Each morning, I want you to start off with a team huddle. You could do this using zoom or Google Hangout, whatever technology you want to choose.
Each morning, get everybody out of frickin bed, dressed, showered, shaved, ready to go. This is an opportunity for all of you to come together as one team.
This turmoil is an opportunity to dominate your market. This six-part morning kick-off strategy will help you lean into this opportunity. It will help you strengthen your team during this challenging time.
The Six-Step Morning Huddle
Step One: kick off a team huddle with a quote
The team leader starts the meeting with a quote. For example, Winston Churchill’s, “When you get to hell, keep going” The leader could say, It looks tough out there right now, but if we come together, we can get through this. How can I support you to get through this? How can you support each other so we not only survive but thrive?
This type of kick-off sets the tone for the day for everyone. Each morning a different team member starts the meeting with a quote that speaks to them.
Step Two: What are the goals today
The team leader asks each team member, What are you going to achieve today? What’s the number one thing you need to accomplish today to make this a win for you? And the first person says, You know, I need to close this deal. Or I need to generate this report, whatever it is. Every team member shares what they will get done today. This ensures everyone knows what everyone else is doing.
Everyone is making a public declaration that I am going to get this important thing done today. This brings everybody together because it’s like, wait a minute, we’re not sitting at home twiddling our thumbs. We’re actually doing shit, right. We’re moving our company forward. We’re moving our team forward.
Step Three: What is the team’s mindset like today
Mindset is the number one determining factor on how well each team member will do today. To gauge each team member’s mindset ask them these three questions:
- What’s your level of passion on a scale of 1 to 10?
- What’s your level of confidence on a scale of 1 to 10?
- What’s your level of focus on a scale of 1 to 10?
If a team member says their focus is a four today. You know something is distracting them. After the team huddle, you can have a quick one-on-one conversation to figure out how you can help. This is a quick way for the entire team to know we got this. More importantly, we got each other.
Number four: Identify possible roadblocks
Ask each team member, What could get in the way of you achieving what you want to accomplish today? This allows the leader and the rest of the team to find a solution. This reinforces to everyone that you are not alone. We have your back.
For example, Tom says he can’t close a deal today without a 1st May delivery but manufacturing would get the product produced in time. Another team member steps up and says, my customer does not need his shipment until the end of May take his product so you can close the deal And I’ll grab your client’s product to fulfill my client’s order.
Number five: It is OK to ask for help
Asking for help is a sign of strength. Unfortunately, in our corporate culture asking for help is seen as a sign of weakness. As the team leader, lets everyone know, it’s OK to ask for help. How can we help you get the job done?
This sends a clear message to everyone that we are your team. We have your back. Trust in us as we trust in you. Knowing everyone is supporting you allows you to focus on getting the job done to the best of your abilities.
Number six: pick tomorrow’s huddle leader
The team leader picks tomorrow’s huddle leader. This lets everyone learn leadership skills. This allows your organization to go from one boss to a team where everyone knows how to lead. Ultimately, there is only one decision-maker but everyone knows how to step up when called upon.
The person picked to be the huddle leader knows they need a quote to kick-off tomorrow’s meeting. Before the morning huddle ends the huddle leader picks someone new in the team to lead tomorrow’s meeting.
Did you hit your goals?
The only additional task they have to do is a check-in with everyone to see if they accomplished the main goal from the day before. This ensures team members know they are accountable to each other. When a team member fails to accomplish a goal it creates a coaching opportunity for the team leader to workshop the problem so the team member improves.
Set a goal, accomplish that goal. It creates a culture of winning.
All tribes need rituals
This morning huddle is a ritual that starts every morning with passion. Every team member knows what is going on, they are clear on the goals they must achieve. They know the team has their back so they can boldly take on the day.
In the comments let me know how this ritual works for you. And if you have any improvements you’d like to suggest to improve this.
#COVID19