New to a leadership role?
Today I’m going to share a process with you to help with the transition!
Pencil in some time to run this kind of meeting and it will set you up for success with your team.
Have a discussion about leadership using the following prompts:
Everyone take a minute to reflect on a great leader you’ve had in the past. (don’t name names or anything)
What made them great?
Now thing of a not-so-great leader you’ve had in the past.
What made them not-so-great
What does that tell you about what kind of a leadership style you like?
Go around the room. Give everyone a chance to answer. Be okay with silence as they think.
After this conversation, pull out the flip chart and ask:
What do you need from ME as a leader for this team to kick ass? Or thrive? Or be the best we can be? Or make you actually want to show up every day? Or at the very least, make you not want to smash your head into your desk?
You get the idea.
Write down everyone’s ideas and comments on the flip chart.
This will build trust, as having a new leader can definitely involve some growing pains. Taking the time to initiate the conversation, listen, and write down people’s input increases feelings of value on the team.
It shows you care. You care about their opinions. You care about learning what it takes to do a good job with your new team specifically.
I suppose it’s also worth mentioning that this meeting would be helpful for people who have been leading teams for a long time too!
If you’re interested in trying this method out but have questions please reach out. hello@deannegagnondynamics.com
If you try it let me know how it goes. And if it was SUPER successful and you want more ways to work with your team in this way - let’s have a chat!
