OK so if money was no object it might be a sports car or a holiday (obviously in a dream world with no travel restrictions!). Back in reality though I’m really thinking about all those team leaders/team managers out there who have been pulling out all the stops during lockdown and keeping their teams supported and encouraged ready for whatever normal now looks like.
Develop your team members
Great leaders recognise the individuality in each of their team members. If you have a team reporting into you, just take a moment to reflect on the things that they are each amazing at and the areas that they could work on to be even better…if you have more than one team member, one thing that is certain is that their development needs won’t all be the same – in the same way that how you manage shouldn’t be a ‘one size fits all’ approach.
Adapt your approach
Now think about the different personalities you work with or manage – I’m betting you find some people super easy to work with and others present much more of a challenge. Take a moment to consider what it is that you find so tricky (or easy) about each relationship and what you might be able to change (or continue) about your approach – if you have a personality profile it might be a good opportunity to dust it off to help you, if not just think about what you notice about how someone communicates with you (as examples are they quite direct and to the point, super friendly and sociable, always formal, or does it tend to vary?) and how does this affect how you respond?
Tackle difficult conversations
Now think about some of the development needs your team members have - what might be the ‘gift’ that your team member would value most to help them bridge the gap and be even better at their role? Maybe you have a team member who finds it difficult to give effective feedback? Someone who really struggles to have a ‘difficult’ conversation with a member of their own team? Perhaps you have someone who is new into leadership and would benefit from a bit of a roadmap that they can personalise to build their leadership skills or credibility in the wider business - or maybe you would like to develop your own coaching skills, but need a bit of guidance to get you started.
Get your team succeeding
Over my years working in people, development and coaching roles these are all conversation topics that frequently come up and where managers and leaders sometimes need help to get conversations started or just to recalibrate…and that in essence is where Game Changer was born. The Game Changer card sets are designed to be simple to use conversation starters, prompts, idea generators and helpful guides to develop the skills of managers and leaders in businesses large and small. With a range of six tactile, jargon-free A5 card sets spanning the topics of Leadership Competency, Leadership Coaching, Great Communication, Recruitment, Business Success and Personal Coaching, you can choose those topics that your team members need most to get them thinking, talking … and succeeding – the perfect returning to work gift, and beyond!
Available from the Mosaic People shop priced at £24.95 per set or £139.95 for the full set (+P&P), or if you’d like to have a chat about Game Changer to see if it is right for your team or you’d just like some pointers on any of the above, please contact Shaun or Laura and we’d be happy to chat!