Random (but very helpful) Tips

A new, experimental feature for Quote of the Week subscribers.

To build joyful independence from day #1,

 send new team members on a scavenger hunt.

It’s a nice alternative or enhancement to the typical office tour.

Most new employees are so overwhelmed that if you take them on a tour and show them where you keep the paper cutter, it teaches them to come to you the first time they need it.

By the way, “Where did you say the paper cutter is?”

If the paper cutter is one of the items they are asked to find for the scavenger hunt, they will most likely remember. But if not, you have taught them to find it for themselves.

Include processes in your scavenger hunt as well…things “like a copy of the scavenger hunt list printed on recycled paper”. That’s much more instructive than showing them how to use the copier and then mentioning that “whenever possible, we like to use recycled paper.”

For more ideas, see Sample Scavenger Hunt below. The possibilities for exploration and discovery are endless. The hunt gets them working independently right away to find tools that will enable them to continue working independently in the future.

Can’t see the image? Use this link.

July 2, 2012 – Tip #6


To increase attention and engagement in team meetings,

meeting

 

 


get team members involved in the planning and facilitation process.

For example, for each meeting, have a team member in charge of something like:

  1. finding and sharing a joke, ice breaker or brainteaser at the start of the meeting or save it for the middle in case things get to be a mess
  2. finding/designing and leading a mini-lesson in customer service
  3. sharing a best practice from another business
  4. bringing refreshments
  5. perhaps in conjunction with a silly celebration
  6. writing on the flipchart, white board, smart board, etc
  7. cleaning the erasers
  8. collecting milk money
  9. being the line leader (do the last three bring back memories?  or give you ideas?)
  10. you could even have a team member lead the entire meeting.

Rotate the job(s) so that each team member has a turn.   Each person could have the assignment for one meeting or a month of meetings.  The key is for each team member to get a turn.

These assignments will broaden their experience.

And will most likely give them greater respect for what’s involved in being a good meeting leader.

Notes: 

If you’ve never done this before, resist the urge to show up at the next meeting with a spreadsheet style sign up sheet.  Instead, try it gradually.

For example – at the start of a meeting, ask if someone would write on the flipchart.  At the end of the meeting, ask if anyone is willing to bring a joke,ice breaker or brainteaser to the next meeting.

June  25, 2012 – Tip #5

Break the ice, engage meeting participants, help them get to know each other

meetingby asking a random question like:  What problem do you most wish would just go away?

 Go around the room, ask each person to share.  Record answers on the board or flipchart.

Idea #1 – any chance you could resolve one or more of these problems right away?  If so – what a fabulous boost to morale and productivity that would be!

 Idea #2 – gather the group or sub-groups to try and hammer out solutions to these problems.  Another fabulous boost to morale and productivity!

Note:  use in conjunction with Quote of the Week on Problems

June 18, 2012 – Tip #4

Break the ice, engage meeting participants, help them get to know each other

meetingby asking a random question like:  What makes you smile?

 Go around the room, ask each person to share.

Record answers on the board or flipchart if desired.

Idea – keep a copy for reference on those tough days when colleagues need help turning the corners of their mouth up.

Note:  use in conjunction with Quote of the Week:  About Your Day

June 11, 2012 – Tip#3


To avoid this…

 

put your keys

on the table by the door, on the hook by the door,  in the bowl by the door, on the shelf by the door,

in the same place,

every single time and

as soon as

you walk in the door.

June 4, 2012 – Tip #2


Did someone accidentally write with permanent marker

on your dry erase board?

Using any color of dry erase marker,

color over the permanent marker markings.

Then use your eraser to erase it all away.

 Woo!

May 28, 2012 – Tip #1

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