🌲 Sanctuary of Teams 🌲
Hermann Hesse beautifully remarked:
"Trees are sanctuaries. Whoever knows how to speak to them, whoever knows how to listen to them, can learn the truth."
I am an unabashed tree hugger. It's Arbor Day, and I hope I can get you to listen to a tree today and be inspired to think about how your teams can become sanctuaries of truth, innovation, and support.
To be clear, I'm not talking about sanctuary as a safe refuge. Rather, as a place where respectful honest feedback and learning (which can be uncomfortable), is welcomed, and is in service to team performance and well-being.
Wondering where to start?
First, co-create agreements with your team on what everyone needs to be vulnerable, feel supported, and respected (see link in comments)
Second, think about how you solicit input from your team. I love these 3 steps from Amy Edmondson for leaders to create psychological safety while communicating a change and inviting team participation:
🔹 Set the Stage. Frame the work and its purpose clearly to get everyone on the same page.
🔹 Invite Participation. Foster an atmosphere of humility, invite curiosity, and establish a structure or process to gather meaningful opinions, thoughts, and ideas from your team.
🔹 Respond Productively. Pay attention to your body language and facial expressions - keep it neutral - especially for those comments that are respectful but negative or make you feel defensive. Be curious yourself!
Show appreciation for all ideas coming in - it takes courage for team members to speak up! Keep the container respectful, and sanction clear violations of team agreements. Be sure to let the team know what the next steps are.
Experiment! You can create a sanctuary for your team to develop and practice these crucial leadership and team skills:
🌲Listening deeply
🌲Engaging in thoughtful dialogue
🌲Continuous learning, also known as sitting in discomfort - perhaps by being 5-10% more vulnerable or courageous than you are used to.
As we celebrate Arbor Day, I invite you to reflect on the environment you're cultivating with your team.
What agreements and actions have you found essential for fostering a safe, supportive team sanctuary?
#ArborDay #TeamSanctuary #PsychologicalSafety #LeadershipDevelopment #FastTeamingFormula #ViriGroup
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