Building a Team that Outlasts Others
If you want to build a team that outlasts others, you need each and every individual to be able to handle pressure. And this starts with you. You set the tone for what happens in times of stress, pressure, and crisis.
Just ask yourself, “how do I handle pressure?”.
Some leaders hide, avoiding the issue completely…
Some leaders explode, making their anger and frustration obvious…
Some leaders blame, pointing to everything around them… except themselves!
When you think about how to improve your team’s resilience, the obvious place to start is with your own – do you have grace under pressure? This is an ongoing quest that you can never expect to completely master.
You have to show your people the way, leading by example… but the prescription for them is exactly the same as it is for you. The golden rule is – Don’t let your people avoid adversity – build it in to their day
You’re trying to produce strong team members who can function under extreme pressure. Without a high level of resilience, you won’t be able to build a pipeline of highly capable people…
But, if you can, your team will function effectively, even in extreme adversity. So, feed your people stress, regularly, in a controlled way… It builds their self esteem.
I have 5 key tips to build the resilience that will enable your team to perform consistently through different levels of pressure, and to outlast other teams
- Make little things little
a. When your people overreact to minor bumps in the road, don’t enable them… don’t sympathize and validate their reaction… don’t jump down into the hole with them.
b. You’ll serve them much better if you can put it the event into context for them, and give perspective: “This isn’t a big deal… let’s put it behind and keep going!” - Cultivate optimistic pragmatism in your people
a. This approach says, “whatever we do, and wherever we are going, I’m controlling to the greatest extent possible“
b. I am realistic, calm and analytical
c. I make decisions without fear or favor
d. I use data to support my decision making
e. And, underpinning all of this, I believe the team is capable, that it is on purpose, and that it will prevail over any external shock - Ask your team to step up (in a safe way)
a. Stretch and empower them
b. Give them the expectation that it’s normal to go beyond their comfort zones, and support them to build their confidence - Stop over functioning for your people
a. Don’t do their work for them…
b. Don’t make their decisions for them
c. Don’t impeded their progress - Look forward… always forward
a. When something happens, just recognize you can’t go back
b. Be realistic about here you are, and only give your energy to the things that make the future look brighter