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Home Stay

March 13, 2020. The last time I was with clients in person… before last week. That’s a long stretch. 417 days.

The end came as I facilitated a retreat for senior leaders of a major hospital system. Everyone wore masks. All social distanced. A dozen people in a room designed to hold more than 80. There were two former nurses and a current physician. I felt safe.

As the U.S. continues to open up there are differing opinions around returning to work. Many employees are anxious to get back in the office. Others not so much.

During my 40-year career, 27 are working from a home office, including the past 17. The biggest benefit is my commute is 40 feet. The biggest drawback is no one stops by and asks me to go to lunch.

It takes focus and discipline to master work from home. Yet, during the past 14 months most people have proven they do it well. Some of my clients said they work more hours than before… capitalizing on the time they would have spent commuting.

Requiring employees to return is a tough call for business leaders. There is the benefit of having everyone nearby – and often in the same conference room – to work together in an environment that doesn’t lead to Zoom fatigue. On the other side of the ledger, employees like the freedom they’ve come to enjoy and, perhaps, expect.

Companies that take a hard stance about returning to the office will lose talent to ones that are open to a more flexible lifestyle. Maybe that’s not a major issue with older leaders who grew up in those cultures. When the younger generation moves up the management ladder, things might change.

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Wise Words

Recently I facilitated a virtual team engagement retreat and one of the energizers was ‘What’s the Best Advice you ever received?’

I gave the example of when I was in television – after working for seven years to finally sit in ‘the big chair’ as producer of college football – the first three games didn’t go as expected. In fact, the executive producer called the truck many times during the games to yell at me about what I wasn’t doing right. He also pointed out all the mistakes I made on our post game Monday morning conference call.

Our color analyst – former NFL defensive tackle Dave Rowe – called me a few days before game four. “Kid,” he said, “you’re like a quarterback who’s afraid to throw an interception. You’ll never throw a touchdown pass until you get over that fear. Next game… let it rip.”

I took his advice, telling myself: ‘I was looking for a job when I found this one… what’s the worst thing that could happen? They fire me?’ The phone in the truck never rang that day, and in fact for the next six years I worked for him, he rarely pointed out any mistakes.

Here are some of the ‘best of’ advice ideas heard from attendees of the team retreat:

“Focus on the people, not the project.”
“There are many sides to the truth. Everyone has their own.”
“You can’t please everyone.”
“Past is past. Future hasn’t happened. Live in the present.”
“Honor the perspective of each person in a conversation.”
“Give your best effort… every day.”

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Knowing You

When facilitating day-long group meetings, I build in a couple of ‘energizers’ to break the ice and help team members get to know each other. These are my ‘go to’ favorites:

2 Down, 1 to Go – Each person shares two things they’ve experienced and one they would like to do, and other members try to guess the one still to come. To set it up, I give my own example: “I’ve seen Bruce Springsteen in concert 13 times, visited the 48 contiguous states, and made 15 visits to Walt Disney World Resort.”

Common and Unique – In smaller groups of three or four, members list as many items possible in five minutes that they share, then in round two, something only one of them has. During large group debriefings over the years, there have been some interesting examples: “Each of us has jumped out of an airplane.” “Only one person was a professional belly dancer.”

Celebrity Close Calls – With a tip of the hat to David Letterman’s ‘Brushes with Greatness,’ each member shares a story about an interesting experience with a famous person. Mine? “At age 27, I met my boyhood hero… and was unable to speak.”

Preparing for my next facilitation this morning, a new energizer popped into my head, and I’m going to use it:

What I Learned – The past 12 months were a journey for everyone. What one thing did you discover about yourself that surprised you the most? For me: I enjoy morning walks around our neighborhood. After years of cycling, running and swimming, I didn’t see myself ever doing that simplest form of exercising.

Try these and you might discover some things about your team you never knew.

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Fresh Start

There is something special in the air.

Is it spring? [Checks calendar] This is the first day; however, I don’t think that’s it.

Maybe the NCAA Tournament? [Moves second TV to family room] I will be engorging all day amidst the sports world’s best weekend of the year; yet that’s not it.

Perhaps Kathy is cooking pancakes? [Sniffs several times] Alas, unfortunately no.

[Ponders for several minutes]

I’ve got it.

That something special in the air?

We’re thisclose to being out of the ‘Covid Times.’ So many people have had at least the first vaccine. In a few weeks anyone who wants to get ‘jabbed’ should be able to do so.

This nightmare was long. We’re all ready to get back to pre-pandemic life. It’s natural to be ‘over it.’ Yet, we can’t rush to the end. Stay diligent. Stay respectful. Stay patient.

For. Just. A. Little. Longer.

Soon you’ll be able to smell the roses… without wearing a mask..

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Madness Resumes

After 710 days and a lot of self-discipline by all, one of the nation’s best sporting events returned today. While fan attendance is limited in the Indiana bubble, turning on the TV this morning and seeing hoops is a reminder we’re thisclose to a new tomorrow.

In March 2004, I wrote these ’11 Things You Can Learn From The NCAA Tournament’ and thought it appropriate to share them again:

  1. There’s Room For Everyone – Goliath typically wins (UCLA and Kentucky have the most trophies), but every so often David conquers (UNLV, Villanova and Syracuse have claimed titles in the past 20 years). Even if you’re not the biggest, you can still perform the best.
  2. Little Things Count – This year, 21 of 63 games were decided by four points or less. Missed free throws and blown lay-ups are often the difference between victory and defeat. Stay focused on the big picture, but don’t forget to keep a close eye on the details.
  3. Everyone Watches The Coach – Just like a coach’s demeanor affects the attitude of his players, employees pick up on the mindset of their boss. It’s not ‘Do they notice what I’m doing?’ It’s ‘They notice everything I’m doing.”
  4. You Gotta Believe – Twenty times in the past 21 seasons a team seeded 10th or lower advanced to the Sweet 16. No matter how difficult things get or how tremendous the odds appear, remain positive and keep working hard every day.
  5. Experts Are Often Incorrect – Four #1 seeds have never made it to the Final Four. Listening to those supposedly in the know is important, yet remember it’s just someone’s opinion. The real proof is how things play out on the court .
  6. It’s A Team Concept – While St. Joe’s had two outstanding players, its impressive run among the nation’s elite was the result of outstanding team play. Like a coach, your job is to give employees the best chance for success by placing them in roles that capitalize on their strengths and complement one another.
  7. Competition Sneaks Up On You – Stanford entered the tournament with a 29-1 record. Alabama barely made the field with 13 losses. They met in the second round: Alabama 70, Stanford 67. It’s easy to keep an eye on big competitors, but the ones who aren’t on the radar can swoop in unexpectedly and take away your customers.
  8. Give A Second Chance – Seven of the top nine players on Oklahoma State’s Final Four team started their college careers elsewhere. Make sure your employees understand that it’s okay to make mistakes, as long as lessons are learned and shared.
  9. It’s A 40-Minute Game – In the first round against Richmond, Wisconsin trailed by 13 midway through the second half. After scoring on 20 straight possessions, the Badgers won going away. Quick fixes aren’t always the best choices. Stick to your game plan, adjust and remain committed to executing what you do best.
  10. Fans Make A Difference – All those screaming folks with painted faces decked out in their school colors really can affect the outcome of a game. Identify the raving fans among your customers and ask them to sing your praises loud and often.
  11. Celebrate Success – CBS signs off each championship game telecast with a moving video showcasing the tournament’s best highlights. It’s important to take time to “cut down the nets” and give employees their “One Shining Moment.”
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