Dr. David Rafeedie

I could make this a short article. Wear a mask and social distance. If you have a larger team, do team development on zoom in which case masks will not be required. Done. Short read. Now I can go play maskless golf and watch my ball social distance from the fairway.

It would be easy to use COVID as an excuse to let team development slide. But with some teams not meeting, it is more important than ever to align the team; to themselves as a team, to your organization's mission and vision. I am using team in a large way, including non-profit organizations and their volunteer staff too. Of course, there are differences between paid and volunteer staff, the principles I am going to share apply to both kinds of team.

First, let us acknowledge something important upfront, which is the context for what I am about to write. The COVID season will end. This, too, shall pass. While there may be a certain degree more work at home, for the most part, things will go back to normal, and that includes how teams usually do professional development. For now, if you meet on zoom or in the board room social distancing, here are some essential issues to remember:

Expand the time

You will need more time for a development meeting because you will have to deal with attention span on zoom, and you will need more time for managing the macro environment as described below. Do not view the expanded time as wasted relative to task accomplishment but as an opportunity for team building. Because an opportunity is what it is.

Recognize the Macro Environment

The macro-environment is the context of today’s COVID-19 reality. Due to this environment and the nature of the workplace today, it is vital to do a team's health check. The health check includes the physical and emotional well being of your individual team members. Showing empathy is a new top leadership characteristic.

If the team is struggling during this time, it will not be possible to develop a cohesive alignment around the critical areas for success. “How are you doing?” goes a long way in establishing trust and respect in a leader, and a healthy internal team environment.

Focus on the target

Keeping people’s attention during a zoom meeting can be challenging. Have some built-in questions and comments time. Do some break out rooms with a specific topic related to your discussion. Know ahead of time what you want to accomplish for the meeting and let the team know what you want to achieve. Letting the team know what you want to achieve will help focus their thinking and efforts.

End with collaboration and Evaluation

Most teams are self-aware if they are healthy. If you have been working with them, they recognize their weaknesses, soft spots, and strengths. They want to be the best they can be, so include them in your professional development's future direction. Pick their collective brain and hear what they think would be best to pursue to strengthen the team.

As part of the collaboration process, take some time to evaluate some items that will improve what you do and how you do it.

1.    Evaluate your staff meetings. What can you do better in those staff meetings to move the team forward and increase results? It will worth taking 10-15 minutes to brainstorm and get a sense of what the team feels is necessary.

2.    Determine the stage of team evolution the team is functioning. https://davidthecoach.com/blog/2018/1/18/team-building-moving-your-team-to-maximum-effectiveness. After doing so, you will be able to put a strategy in place to move your team forward.

3.    Evaluate what stage your team’s teams are in and how your team can move their teams forward. There are some practical questions and assessments a leader can use to get a clear picture of downline teams.

Doing the above three things will give your team a sense of ownership and accomplishment during a time when it would be easy to feel disconnected. It is essential to take extra steps, steps you usually would not take for team cohesiveness and results. COVID can be a convenient excuse not to do the hard work of team development. I maintain this is the time it is more important, if that is possible, than regular times where team members are interacting with each other in-person routinely.

How can you enhance your team unity and skills that lead to better results during this COVID time?  I would love to have a conversation with you.  I am passionate about partnering with leaders and teams for change and growth. Email me at info@davidthecoach.com, text me, or feel free to call me at 520-709-1860. If you like, text me your phone number, and I will contact you to start a conversation to explore a coaching relationship.

If you are reading this on social media, check out my website at www.davidthecoach.com.  Download my Four Fundamental Characteristics of an Influential Leader while you are there. You will also find more blogs on fear, leadership, transitions, and other subjects dealing with success factors.