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My rule when I was coaching college kids: always leave my door open.
Athletes knew they could stop by, talk, sit and do homework, or just lounge around. And they did.
It was simple, but one of the most effective team bonding/culture things we did.
Why? Let's explore.
Athletes knew they could stop by, talk, sit and do homework, or just lounge around. And they did.
It was simple, but one of the most effective team bonding/culture things we did.
Why? Let's explore.
Culture comes from conversation.
It's how people connect. It's how we establish trust, belonging and security.
And it largely occurs during the 'in-between times,' when you are just shooting the shit.
Increase the # of opportunities for that and you win.
It's how people connect. It's how we establish trust, belonging and security.
And it largely occurs during the 'in-between times,' when you are just shooting the shit.
Increase the # of opportunities for that and you win.
It's the in-between moments where it occurs.
Major John Spencer:
“What all of the research highlights is the importance of conversation during noncombat time — the hours of nothingness, the shared boredom — where bonds of trust, friendships and group identity are built”
Major John Spencer:
“What all of the research highlights is the importance of conversation during noncombat time — the hours of nothingness, the shared boredom — where bonds of trust, friendships and group identity are built”
Seemingly meaningless chit-chat helps turn Joe the spreadsheet guy into Joe the human being.
When we start seeing people for more than just their title at work, or what they do, trust and connection soon follow
journals.aom.org/doi/10.5465/amj.2018.1474
When we start seeing people for more than just their title at work, or what they do, trust and connection soon follow
journals.aom.org/doi/10.5465/amj.2018.1474
The same principle applies to the rest of us.
Leaders need to create the space for this to occur. We do that by crafting the right environment, with the right amount of safety, security, and freedom to be yourself.
Leaders need to create the space for this to occur. We do that by crafting the right environment, with the right amount of safety, security, and freedom to be yourself.
The space itself matters.
I scoured the building for as many chairs as I could fit. Found a small couch someone abandoned. An then had drawers that people could sit on top of
I let athletes decorate the space.
Create a space that invites people in. And they feel 'ownership' in
I scoured the building for as many chairs as I could fit. Found a small couch someone abandoned. An then had drawers that people could sit on top of
I let athletes decorate the space.
Create a space that invites people in. And they feel 'ownership' in
Sometimes creating the space isn't enough, you have to nudge.
We'd do weekly small group sessions. 4-5 athletes, 20-30min. We'd pick a topic and I'd lead a discussion on something.
Often, about sport. But the good stuff was about life.
We'd do weekly small group sessions. 4-5 athletes, 20-30min. We'd pick a topic and I'd lead a discussion on something.
Often, about sport. But the good stuff was about life.
Conversations on life/going deep on controversial things brought gold
Why? 18-22yr olds aren't used to being told their opinion matters. Give them a secure space to talk about difficult topics and good things happen
And, it cements that you can talk about anything in that space
Why? 18-22yr olds aren't used to being told their opinion matters. Give them a secure space to talk about difficult topics and good things happen
And, it cements that you can talk about anything in that space
Athletes would stick around after. Get used to talking. Get comfortable interacting with others.
Here, I love Dan Coyle's conceptualization of how vulnerability leads to trust.
You don't get trust then be vulnerable. You must first be vulnerable to send the right signal.
Here, I love Dan Coyle's conceptualization of how vulnerability leads to trust.
You don't get trust then be vulnerable. You must first be vulnerable to send the right signal.
Create space where people can be open and vulnerable.
What prevents that? If people think it will be used against them or that they'll be judged harshly. Basically, our insecurities.
That's where you, as the leader, set the stage.
What prevents that? If people think it will be used against them or that they'll be judged harshly. Basically, our insecurities.
That's where you, as the leader, set the stage.
But isn't it disruptive to be interrupted?
A recent study found that work interruptions led to an increase in sense of belonging.
Workers felt more connected to those around them. That sense of belonging ultimately led to increased job satisfaction.
www.apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/apl-apl0000875.pdf
A recent study found that work interruptions led to an increase in sense of belonging.
Workers felt more connected to those around them. That sense of belonging ultimately led to increased job satisfaction.
www.apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/apl-apl0000875.pdf
We often set up our environments for productivity.
Instead, think about how you can nudge people towards small moments of interaction. Coffee, food, and the water cooler are great in the office.
In athletics, make your locker room a place to hang out before/after practice.
Instead, think about how you can nudge people towards small moments of interaction. Coffee, food, and the water cooler are great in the office.
In athletics, make your locker room a place to hang out before/after practice.
So there you go.
It's why sometimes, we'd cram 15 people into a tiny office. It wasn't a meeting. It was just people hanging out. "wasting time" but in reality creating connection and cohesion that made them better teammates, and hopefully people.
It's why sometimes, we'd cram 15 people into a tiny office. It wasn't a meeting. It was just people hanging out. "wasting time" but in reality creating connection and cohesion that made them better teammates, and hopefully people.
If you found this thread valuable, every week I tweet similar threads on all things performance. Follow along.
And for a deeper, dive check out my free weekly newsletter: www.getrevue.co/profile/stevemagness
And for a deeper, dive check out my free weekly newsletter: www.getrevue.co/profile/stevemagness
For those asking how do we do this in an online/work from home setting?
Some ideas from myself and @JesseDMichel on how to create the space for conversation and connection in an online world. See thread:
Some ideas from myself and @JesseDMichel on how to create the space for conversation and connection in an online world. See thread:
One more thing. Why does letting others contribute/decorate to the space do?
It gives them a sense of ownership and belonging. They contribute.
Symbols are powerful.
This was one of my favorite decorations I showed up to one day...
It gives them a sense of ownership and belonging. They contribute.
Symbols are powerful.
This was one of my favorite decorations I showed up to one day...
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Brad Stulberg @bstulberg
·
Mar 11, 2022
GREAT thread. Something I talk about often with my coaching clients. Productivity, efficiency, and deep-work are so important. But a big part of a leader's job is NOT being productive and efficient, at least not in the moment. Huge challenge, especially for entrepreneurs.