No "Hacks" or Shortcuts for Real Leaders

Things are going pretty well with your team - morale has rallied, work is flowing, and people seem to be lighter and happier. Suddenly, you hit turbulence and things seem to have changed overnight. The mood is off, the answers are snippy, and there is less laughter. 

Is something wrong?

Take inventory of the internal (organizational) change either real-time or looming; the external (societal) change ie lockdowns, school breaks changing, testing snags, and the individual personal change (Joan or John’s) on the team.

Spoiler here: There is not going to be a one-size-fits-all solution, for the simple reason that everyone is different. There is no one, easy, "hack" or fix to a positive culture. Everyone's absorption of change is going to affect them uniquely.

So what CAN you do?

As their leader, be brave enough to 

a) Acknowledge the challenge you're noticing, setting the scene for caring rather than demanding change 

b) Ask for input, sharing, and solutions from the team if have any

c) Listen without judgment

Your team needs to be seen and heard.

Model a non-judgmental approach and watch it catch.

There is more to come on Psychological Safety and why it is essential for team health and ultimately, performance.

Stay tuned!