Most of us spend most of our time at work. We work with colleagues, random strangers, people we like, and also people we do not particularly like or get on with. Our time and focus should be spent in a way that is productive, but also in a way that reminds us that we belong to a community. This is where we at least share some common ground, as well as some responsibilities to make our work spaces workable, endearing and human.
All work teams are going through challenging times, and not just lately. Managers, team-leaders and supervisors are increasingly expected to be care-givers, counsellors, advisors, in loco parentis. This is a taxing combination and a reality that often neglects a number of important issues:
- Who is caring for the care-giver?
- When and how are we (as leaders) developing our (crucially important) skills such as empathic communication, mindfulness and being courageous?
- Are we having the kind of conversations in and outside of our team that are difficult, crucial, and necessary?
- Who is helping, guiding and encouraging all team members to show up as leaders?
There is a sense of urgency for teams to be able to share resources, experiences, and of course, collective wisdom. This sharing can be significantly improved if the cohesiveness, and dare I say, sense of family, is amplified. This can, and should be done, by making available participative learning and experiential exercises that have the potential to contribute to better teamwork, improved cohesiveness and inclusivity.
These are the challenges that will be addressed in a workshop with your team.
We will explore and examine examples that challenge our ability to function under pressure, as a team, and in the context of working in a puddle where criticism regularly rains in. During this training, a Community of Practice Model (specifically designed staff meetings as opportunities for sharing collective experiences and challenges) will be introduced as an innovative and sustainable way to promote and foster greater collegiality and cohesiveness.
I invite you to contact me for a free quotation on how best to respond to the needs of your group. I will suggest either a half or full day workshop to add significantly to the communication and listening skill sets of all participants. My experience and working in very diverse communities (corporates, Higher Education as well as disadvantaged communities) is likely to stand you and your team in good stead.
Relation Strategies 