10 Minutes Can Re-Energize Your Team

We were recently in a meeting with two top executives. They were describing an incredibly challenging time when their leadership team was running at full speed. That afternoon, the team asked to skip a leadership team meeting so they could use that time to focus on several “revenue critical” efforts that were underway.

These executives needed to make a decision that would move their agenda forward, create success for the organization, and manage their staff’s need for some control over their work time.

As they went back and forth about whether or not to meet, one of the executives said something profound. She said, “Today, we don’t have time to meet, but we do have time to connect.”

It was a powerful distinction. She was right, the team didn’t have the time or the head space to meet and do the planning work that was on their plate. Yet, as a growing team, the need to create connection during this high-pressure time was critical.

After a quick brainstorm, the leaders decided they would ask the group to come together for 10 minutes.

During that time, they let the team know that they understood the pressures they were under, and then they had each individual quickly answer the following questions:

• What excites you about the work you’re doing?
• What is your greatest challenge?
• What is a word or phrase that describes the best team you have ever been a part of?

The 10-minute meeting ended with the team feeling energized, grateful for one another, and ready to get back to work.

This week consider how you can facilitate the teams that you lead or work with to have greater connection, even when there is little time to meet.