The Power of Reflection Inside Troy Accounting's Weekly Team Huddle

At Troy Accounting, we believe in the power of teamwork and continuous improvement. One of the key practices that nurtures this culture is our weekly team huddle, where we gather to reflect, share, and grow together. This isn’t just any ordinary meeting; it’s a structured and meaningful session following the Thorn, Bud, Rose format.

In this article we thought we’d take you inside one of these huddles to show you how it works and why it’s so valuable to our team.

What is Thorn, Bud, Rose?

Our huddles are centred around this simple yet profound framework called Thorn, Bud, Rose. Each team member shares their experiences from the past and current week, focusing on three key areas:

Rose: The positive highlight. This could be a success, a compliment from a client, or just something we’re looking forward to in the week ahead or at the weekend. It’s a moment to celebrate the wins, big or small.

Bud: An opportunity for improvement or something we're excited about in the future. It’s the potential we see in ourselves and our projects, the seeds of future successes.

Thorn: The challenges or setbacks we faced. This is crucial as it allows us to address issues openly and find solutions together.

Why Thorns Matter

Identifying and sharing our Thorns is perhaps the most important part of our huddle. When a team member brings up a challenge they faced, or something they are concerned about, it opens the door for follow-up later on and a chance to offer support. It's not about pointing out what went wrong; it’s about creating a dialogue for improvement and growth. Here’s why we find this is so beneficial:

Transparency - Sharing our Thorns creates an environment of honesty and openness. It’s okay to admit that something didn’t go as planned. This transparency helps us trust each other more.

Support - When a Thorn is shared, it becomes a team concern. We brainstorm solutions together and offer support, ensuring that no one is left to deal with a problem alone.

Follow-up – As we’ve mentioned already, by discussing Thorns, we can set up check-ins and follow-ups. This ensures that issues are addressed, and improvements are tracked, leading to better outcomes over time.

Building a Stronger Team

The Thorn, Bud, Rose format not only helps us tackle challenges but also brings the team closer together. Here’s how it strengthens our team environment:

Celebration of Success - Sharing Roses allows us to celebrate each other's achievements, boosting morale and motivation.

Nurtures Growth - Discussing Buds encourages innovation and forward-thinking. We get excited about future possibilities and strive to turn Buds into Roses.

Collective Problem Solving - Addressing Thorns as a team promotes collaboration and ensures that everyone is contributing to finding solutions.

A Culture of Continuous Improvement 

At Troy Accounting, our weekly team huddle is more than just a meeting; it’s a testament to our commitment to continuous improvement and teamwork. By reflecting on our Roses, Buds, and Thorns, we ensure that we are always moving forward, learning from our experiences, and supporting each other.

We believe it’s the constant pursuit of betterment that leads to true success. If you’re not doing anything like this in your business, we encourage you to give it a try.

If you are doing something like this, please do share with us and who knows, it could end up joining our weekly huddle too.