Get key people working for you, rather than against you with Stakeholder MappingRead time: 3 minutesThe reason many projects fail is because change is hard. Big change can feel nigh on impossible sometimes. There might be lots of rational reasons why your project should succeed. But if it requires people to change the way they work, sooner or […]
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A better way to solve difficult problems as a teamRead time: 3 minutesToday, I will show you a better way to solve difficult problems. Most teams solve problems by:1Calling a meeting.2Sitting around a table listening to 1 or 2 people dominate the conversation.3Agreeing half-heartedly to an average solution.4Repeating the process in 4 weeks when it doesn’t […]
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Create your winning team vision: a step-by-step guideRead time: 3.5 minutesToday I want to walk through an often overlooked way to achieve broad consensus on a future vision. A future vision is simply a new and improved state after a time of progress. That might be:Changing the team configuration due to less or more resources being available this […]
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How to hit the ground running in 2024Read time: 3.5 minutesI asked a client this week how he was intending to finish 2023. He answered, “By getting the team together and having our annual review.” It was a trick question 🫢 While there’s value in reviewing and learning from the past, I prefer spending valuable time planning the future. A […]
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Ultimate Team Building Pack to help you create high-performance teamsRead time: 1 minuteIn today’s issue, you can download a PowerPoint deck of workshop activities to help you create high-performance teams. 100% free. These 12 team-building activities help you generate new ideas, build a team, solve problems, manage risks and issues, create action plans, and improve collaboration. What […]
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PEST Analysis: How to embrace changes to your business environmentRead time: 4 minutesNo matter how careful you are, things are happening outside your control that will significantly impact your success. But that’s not as bad as it sounds. Because significant changes to your business environment can (and likely will) present you with new opportunities to grow – if […]
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Edward de Bono’s “Six Thinking Hats” MethodRead time: 5 minutesAny meeting or and workshop where you’re solving problems or making decisions will benefit from “Six Thinking Hats”. In most meetings, people express their thoughts haphazardly. This can lead to confusion, unfocussed discussions, and difficulty reaching a consensus. Six Thinking Hats is a useful technique to help your teams think […]
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Lencioni’s Five Dysfunctions of a Team WorkshopRead time: 4 minutesHave you seen a team fall apart due to bickering, infighting, or a general lack of respect? It can be frustrating to witness such destructive behaviour, and it undoubtedly takes a toll on the morale and productivity of the team. There is an insightful framework called Five Dysfunctions of […]
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Porter’s Five Forces – Improve Your Competitive Position in the MarketRead time: 2 minutesUncover the forces that shape your industry and gain a competitive edge with Porter’s Five Forces framework. This timeless model, developed by renowned strategist Michael E. Porter in 1979, still revolutionises businesses today. Forget about traditional competitors for a moment. Porter’s Five Forces goes beyond […]
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How to Plan for Uncertain TimesRead time: 4 minutes“All times are uncertain. There’s never been a time ever that was certain.” – Simon Sinek. I love that quote. Simon is spot on. Life is a journey. Good, bad, and uncomfortable. When you’re doing great, remember to enjoy the moment but recognise it will pass. And prepare for rain. In […]
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How To Develop and Test New Ideas (Google Inspired Design Sprint Process)Read time: 6 minutesHoliday breaks are energizing. But returning to work can result in a lull of energy, enthusiasm, and activity. To counter the lull, I like to run a creative workshop to boost team energy. Google’s design sprint process inspires the workshop I’m sharing today. It’s a fun […]
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Micro-Goals: The Power of Small Steps to Achieve Big ThingsRead time: 3 minutesThis week I have a new approach to goal setting for you called “Micro Goals”. If your team has struggled to achieve big goals, then micro goals might be perfect for you. A few weeks ago, I wrote about the concept of “Anti-Goals”. Anti-Goals is the approach […]
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Team Dimensions Analysis – Workshop To Build Stronger TeamsRead time: 2.5 minutesThroughout my career I’ve run lots of team-building workshops. One of the biggest challenges has been to get team members to open up about all the different dimensions that go into making a successful team. I’ve definitely made some team-building mistakes along my journey. But they turned […]
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How To Conclude Your Workshop StronglyRead time: 2.5 minutesDelivering a compelling, value-packed workshop is a terrific way to get a lot of work done in a short amount of time. But your achievements can quickly disappear if you don’t end the workshop effectively. I’ve spent the last 20 years running workshops all over the world and have created […]
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Start-Stop-Improve: A simple workshop for your next retrospective meetingRead time: 2 minutesI’ve started using a new process for helping a group look at their current situation and brainstorm actions. My go-to framework for retrospective meetings, also known as retrospectives or post-mortems, has always been the Team Review Workshop. Today I’ll show you a different process that gets even […]
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How to create a Team Purpose quicklyRead time: 3 minutesIn today’s issue, I will show you a simple process to help a team (or organisation) define its purpose. The Purpose is the reason why the team (or organisation) is there. Why it was created. Why it’s needed. Teams that don’t live and breath their purpose have zero chance […]
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Anti-Goals: How to stop your team doing the things they hateRead time: 2.5 minutesIn today’s issue, I will show you how to improve team performance using “Anti-Goals”.Most teams set goals by thinking through what they want to achieve and do.After setting goals, they then determine how to achieve and measure them.What if you started with things […]
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Communication Skills 101: How to get what you ask for?Read time: 4 minutesIn today’s issue, I’m going to show you ways to help you get what you ask for when you communicate with colleagues. Your ability to persuade your colleagues to take action on your behalf is a critical skill that can easily be improved. It’s natural to […]
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Who What When: How to guarantee action after every workshop or meetingRead time: 2 minutesIn this issue, I will show you my preferred way to create an action plan at the end of every workshop or meeting. How many meetings and workshops have you been in when nothing happens after? The only way to guarantee action is to […]
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How Wow Now: My favourite way to find breakthrough ideasRead time: 3 minutesIn this week’s issue, I want to share my favourite way to find breakthrough ideas that skyrocket team and business results. Unless you’re careful, it’s too easy to fall into the trap of working on ideas you feel comfortable with rather than those with a […]
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