Embrace | Experience | Execute | Excelerate
Embrace
At the beginning of an engagement people may have little awareness of the need for change or what is being planned. They may also have little awareness of where to focus attention to effect change. At this stage our primary focus is to to prepare the ground and plant the seed. The first thing we do is assess the current situation and help people see new possibilities. One possibility we often introduce is a new set of cultural values based on the Inspired Teams™ framework. Cultures operating with Inspired Teams™ values have been shown to produce fulfilling, joyful environments that are highly productive, agile and operate with less stress than the current environment. We then help to bring attention to the current situation and strive to create a collective vision of where the organization could be and an understanding of why it needs to embrace new possibilities. We pay special attention to helping employees understand what is in it for them. Finally, we co-develop a plan with the client to ensure that it is “right” for the organization and tailored to their needs. This prevents the “not invented here” syndrome and helps the client own and embrace the plan.
Implementation: Workshops, Assessments
Experience
Once the plan is developed, it needs the right environment to flourish. This phase begins by recognizing that learning new habits and norms is not easy, so we start with practices that can be easily followed. We help the team take small steps that they feel are doable. As the team is forming new habits, they need to experience and practice them. In this phase we coach the team and help them embody the new habits. Over time, as the team becomes more proficient, and their behavior becomes more habitual, they are encouraged to make adjustments to maximize the benefits for their situation.
Implementation: Coaching, Pilot programs (fine-tuning)
Execute
Once the team has experienced a new way of operating and has begun to implement its plan and strengthen new habits, it needs to be supported. New habits are fragile and can easily revert to old ways of doing things. We help the team embody and strengthen the new habits so they become the new norm. People need to think differently and they need to react differently, which must become second nature. This only happens over time; however, it can be supported by tools, rituals, and language. We help teams develop these supports to strengthen the new behavior. At the same time, we recognize that some things must remain stable. We never forget that business needs to continue while the team is changing. We work with the team to integrate new ways of operating with execution of their existing plans.
Implementation: Consulting, Refresh→Review→Reinvigorate, Progress assessment, Customized training. (Expanding).
Excelerate
Once the team has embodied the values of the new culture and are executing well, They are ready to accelerate their productivity gains and excel (excelerate). This requires continuous attention to the values and a commitment by all team members to take responsibility for the team. Through our exclusive “Hey team…™” method we empower every employee to make observations that enhance the culture. This is a fun, yet powerful, method to ensure that the team keeps accelerating and avoids slipping backward. It happens in small, short, conversations while the team is going about its work. It is like continuously pruning a plant. If you keep up with it, it only takes a little time on a regular basis. If you let it go, you have a big job on your hands that takes away from your other activities.
Implementation: “Hey Team…”
How are we different/ better than traditional consultants?
We help your teams pursue a shared purpose with a common vision, agile strategy and excellence-driven lean tactical execution.
Our proven recommendations are based on solid scientific evidence that guides you on your journey to develop Agile EI teams.
Based on four decades of research and a globally renowned team emotional intelligence framework, we bring you the latest and greatest cutting-edge methods to energize your team at all levels.