WEBVTT 1 00:00:18.625 --> 00:00:20.765 Hey, it's Rachel Cook, your modern mentor. 2 00:00:21.305 --> 00:00:23.925 I'm the founder of Lead Above Noise, where we help leaders 3 00:00:24.485 --> 00:00:27.565 activate performance and engagement and keep burnout at pay. 4 00:00:28.395 --> 00:00:30.725 I've been speaking to leadership teams across industries 5 00:00:30.725 --> 00:00:32.725 about this, and I would love to spend time with yours. 6 00:00:32.975 --> 00:00:36.125 Reach out anytime at rachel@leadabovenoise.com. 7 00:00:36.905 --> 00:00:38.725 And before we jump into today's episode, 8 00:00:38.945 --> 00:00:40.005 can I ask a quick favor? 9 00:00:40.645 --> 00:00:42.565 I know all the podcasters ask, 10 00:00:42.905 --> 00:00:45.085 but if you're a regular listener, I would love 11 00:00:45.085 --> 00:00:46.245 to hear your thoughts on the show. 12 00:00:46.495 --> 00:00:49.565 Leave a quick review on whatever podcast app you're in. 13 00:00:50.655 --> 00:00:52.305 Okay, so how's your team doing? 14 00:00:52.985 --> 00:00:56.865 I mean, really, I can't see you and I don't know your team, 15 00:00:57.365 --> 00:00:58.945 but if I were placing bets, 16 00:00:59.425 --> 00:01:01.505 I would guess they may be a little overwhelmed, 17 00:01:02.025 --> 00:01:05.745 a little disconnected, a little bit like, why are we all 18 00:01:05.745 --> 00:01:08.025 so busy every minute of the day when I'm not even sure 19 00:01:08.025 --> 00:01:09.305 what we're accomplishing sometimes? 20 00:01:10.055 --> 00:01:13.745 Does this ring true for you? If not, you're in a minority. 21 00:01:14.725 --> 00:01:16.145 I'm talking to so many teams 22 00:01:16.205 --> 00:01:17.945 who are riding the struggle bus these days. 23 00:01:18.535 --> 00:01:21.905 They are really needing, really craving some space 24 00:01:21.925 --> 00:01:25.785 to hit pause just for a day on the work and to come together 25 00:01:26.085 --> 00:01:27.385 and do some work on them. 26 00:01:28.415 --> 00:01:30.345 This is the magic of a team offsite. 27 00:01:30.985 --> 00:01:33.585 I plan and run many dozens of these each year, 28 00:01:33.885 --> 00:01:36.065 and I'm a huge believer in the power of an 29 00:01:36.065 --> 00:01:37.065 outside facilitator. 30 00:01:37.645 --> 00:01:40.385 But if that's just not an option right now, then I'd love 31 00:01:40.385 --> 00:01:42.265 to share with you some of my favorite elements 32 00:01:42.265 --> 00:01:44.785 that you are super welcome to Stitch Together 33 00:01:44.925 --> 00:01:47.705 and create your own amazing team offsite experiences. 34 00:01:48.285 --> 00:01:50.825 But if that's not an option right now, then I'd love 35 00:01:50.825 --> 00:01:53.105 to share with you some of my favorite elements 36 00:01:53.215 --> 00:01:55.505 that you are super welcome to Stitch Together 37 00:01:55.645 --> 00:01:58.105 and create your own amazing team offsite. 38 00:01:58.765 --> 00:02:00.705 Now, offsites can come in many forms 39 00:02:01.085 --> 00:02:02.265 to serve different purposes, 40 00:02:02.725 --> 00:02:05.105 but today let's focus on the kind designed 41 00:02:05.105 --> 00:02:07.905 to drive connection, alignment, priorities and agreements. 42 00:02:08.605 --> 00:02:11.065 Before we get into some of my favorite exercises, 43 00:02:11.235 --> 00:02:13.625 let's quickly touch on creating a meaningful 44 00:02:13.635 --> 00:02:14.825 space for an offsite. 45 00:02:15.215 --> 00:02:18.745 Because an offsite is at its best when all participants feel 46 00:02:18.855 --> 00:02:22.585 okay to speak up, to participate, and they feel energized. 47 00:02:23.425 --> 00:02:26.265 I always like to have lots of snacks and caffeine on hand, 48 00:02:26.565 --> 00:02:28.425 and I always set Vegas rules. 49 00:02:28.925 --> 00:02:31.065 You know what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas 50 00:02:31.255 --> 00:02:33.745 because we wanna tap into people's vulnerability. 51 00:02:34.775 --> 00:02:37.185 Okay, so now let's talk about your run of show. 52 00:02:37.945 --> 00:02:39.305 I always start with an icebreaker. 53 00:02:39.775 --> 00:02:41.065 This can be quick and simple, 54 00:02:41.445 --> 00:02:44.105 but I like to make it purposeful to get people speaking 55 00:02:44.205 --> 00:02:46.025 and connecting and feeling a little bit 56 00:02:46.025 --> 00:02:48.905 of lightness without necessarily feeling silly. 57 00:02:49.715 --> 00:02:52.425 There are infinite exercises you could do here, 58 00:02:52.735 --> 00:02:54.665 just ask Google or chat GBT. 59 00:02:55.205 --> 00:02:57.705 But I often start with something super simple like a 60 00:02:57.705 --> 00:02:58.705 partnered q and a. 61 00:02:59.565 --> 00:03:00.645 I use a deck of cards, 62 00:03:01.225 --> 00:03:02.925 but you can certainly roll without one. 63 00:03:03.685 --> 00:03:08.125 I ask people to pair up partner A asks partner B, a personal 64 00:03:08.145 --> 00:03:09.605 but not invasive question. 65 00:03:10.095 --> 00:03:12.365 Maybe it's something about their favorite childhood movie 66 00:03:12.465 --> 00:03:14.645 or the best thing about the town they grew up in. 67 00:03:15.185 --> 00:03:17.725 And then partner B answers. And then we swap. 68 00:03:18.225 --> 00:03:20.165 And then I pull everyone back into the circle 69 00:03:20.305 --> 00:03:23.085 and I ask each person to share one at a time. 70 00:03:23.595 --> 00:03:25.605 What is one thing you learned about your 71 00:03:25.605 --> 00:03:26.925 partner you didn't know before? 72 00:03:28.005 --> 00:03:29.725 I like this because it's quick and simple, 73 00:03:29.865 --> 00:03:31.645 and it activates not only our talking, 74 00:03:31.745 --> 00:03:33.965 but our listening muscles, because asking 75 00:03:34.025 --> 00:03:37.525 and listening is an essential element of any great offsite. 76 00:03:41.395 --> 00:03:44.045 Next, have the team craft a shared vision. 77 00:03:44.795 --> 00:03:48.005 Here I might move people into small groups of three and four 78 00:03:48.745 --> 00:03:50.125 and invite each group to create 79 00:03:50.435 --> 00:03:52.285 what we call a cover story mockup. 80 00:03:53.065 --> 00:03:56.045 One thing I find is that everyone is so busy these days, 81 00:03:56.465 --> 00:03:59.485 but when we pause to check in, it's not always clear 82 00:03:59.485 --> 00:04:01.645 that we are all chasing the same end game. 83 00:04:02.395 --> 00:04:04.805 Plus, we all know that feeling a shared sense 84 00:04:04.805 --> 00:04:07.445 of purpose can enhance both our employee engagement 85 00:04:07.745 --> 00:04:09.405 and our capacity for driving results. 86 00:04:09.985 --> 00:04:11.365 So this exercise is a fun 87 00:04:11.365 --> 00:04:13.245 and creative way for a team to imagine 88 00:04:13.515 --> 00:04:16.605 what the future might be like a year from now if their 89 00:04:16.605 --> 00:04:18.205 current efforts were to be successful. 90 00:04:19.205 --> 00:04:22.205 A cover story mock-up serves as a visual representation 91 00:04:22.345 --> 00:04:24.285 or a prototype of the story 92 00:04:24.435 --> 00:04:27.285 that a magazine would publish a year from now if they were 93 00:04:27.315 --> 00:04:28.485 profiling your success. 94 00:04:29.145 --> 00:04:31.805 It generally includes a title, some featured images, 95 00:04:32.325 --> 00:04:34.165 headlines, and a summary of the story. 96 00:04:34.665 --> 00:04:36.845 You can get creative, have people draw pictures, 97 00:04:38.005 --> 00:04:40.835 additional elements that might help spark creativity. 98 00:04:40.885 --> 00:04:42.795 Could be an anecdote about, 99 00:04:42.895 --> 00:04:45.435 or even some quotes from top customers or clients 100 00:04:45.495 --> 00:04:47.955 or patients that focus on the value your product 101 00:04:47.955 --> 00:04:49.035 or service is bringing. 102 00:04:49.695 --> 00:04:52.875 And it might also highlight which team members delivered 103 00:04:52.875 --> 00:04:55.155 which bits of value, which can help with roles 104 00:04:55.175 --> 00:04:56.595 and responsibilities down the road. 105 00:04:56.975 --> 00:04:59.395 And also build some more empathy across your team 106 00:04:59.855 --> 00:05:01.715 by understanding a little bit how each 107 00:05:01.715 --> 00:05:03.675 of us is contributing to a meaningful outcome. 108 00:05:04.775 --> 00:05:06.795 Run it how you like, but it's just a fun 109 00:05:06.795 --> 00:05:10.315 and creative way to push everyone just for the day outside 110 00:05:10.515 --> 00:05:12.235 of the boundaries of timelines and pressure, 111 00:05:12.455 --> 00:05:13.955 and into a space of imagining 112 00:05:13.955 --> 00:05:16.115 what we could all be working together to make happen. 113 00:05:17.545 --> 00:05:19.275 Next, align on priorities. 114 00:05:19.855 --> 00:05:22.835 So with a shared vision in place, we've now gotta make sure 115 00:05:22.835 --> 00:05:24.595 that we are collectively prioritizing 116 00:05:25.215 --> 00:05:28.595 and deprioritizing the right stuff. 117 00:05:29.425 --> 00:05:31.005 And here's where some bullseye 118 00:05:31.005 --> 00:05:32.405 diagramming can come into play. 119 00:05:33.275 --> 00:05:35.645 This is just three concentric circles. 120 00:05:36.025 --> 00:05:37.725 The innermost one is your top, 121 00:05:37.835 --> 00:05:39.325 your most critical priorities. 122 00:05:39.825 --> 00:05:41.845 The second is kind of your nice to have. 123 00:05:41.985 --> 00:05:44.525 And the third is your not now and maybe never. 124 00:05:45.105 --> 00:05:47.765 And the power of this exercise is that it forced us 125 00:05:47.765 --> 00:05:49.445 to look at projects and initiatives 126 00:05:49.965 --> 00:05:51.285 altogether on a single page 127 00:05:51.705 --> 00:05:54.245 and to prioritize them relative to each other. 128 00:05:54.945 --> 00:05:58.165 And as we prioritize, we are constantly looking back 129 00:05:58.165 --> 00:06:01.325 to our magazine mockups to ensure that we're choosing things 130 00:06:01.515 --> 00:06:04.005 that are designed to get us to that ending the fastest. 131 00:06:04.905 --> 00:06:07.645 The bullseye limits. How much you can identify is critical, 132 00:06:07.795 --> 00:06:09.645 forcing your team to really talk about 133 00:06:09.645 --> 00:06:12.365 what is most essential before producing anything. 134 00:06:13.265 --> 00:06:16.365 And since each successive circle is larger than the last, 135 00:06:16.825 --> 00:06:19.565 you must carefully consider what is most critical, 136 00:06:19.875 --> 00:06:22.885 what is important, and what is maybe just peripheral. 137 00:06:23.935 --> 00:06:26.325 Often this means having to make some trade-offs, 138 00:06:26.585 --> 00:06:29.045 but the result is generally a clear delineation 139 00:06:29.045 --> 00:06:31.285 of your team's consensus about each 140 00:06:31.345 --> 00:06:32.765 item's relative importance. 141 00:06:33.275 --> 00:06:36.645 It's a pretty simple means of making difficult decisions. 142 00:06:37.425 --> 00:06:40.285 And finally, find your enabling mechanisms. 143 00:06:40.905 --> 00:06:43.485 So priorities are a focus on products, 144 00:06:43.485 --> 00:06:44.805 programs, and initiatives. 145 00:06:44.945 --> 00:06:46.765 You know, the things we wanna build or deliver. 146 00:06:47.385 --> 00:06:50.245 But once we've aligned on those, I then like to move into 147 00:06:50.245 --> 00:06:52.645 what I call enabling mechanisms. 148 00:06:53.105 --> 00:06:55.725 And these for me, are the ways that we tend 149 00:06:55.725 --> 00:06:58.325 to spend our time in service of building those outcomes. 150 00:06:59.075 --> 00:07:01.645 It's our habits and practices and our rituals. 151 00:07:01.835 --> 00:07:03.965 It's our meetings, our one-on-ones, 152 00:07:03.965 --> 00:07:05.765 our dashboards, our presentations. 153 00:07:06.685 --> 00:07:08.085 I love to use a two by two grid. 154 00:07:08.585 --> 00:07:11.885 You know, you draw a big plus sign to create four quadrants. 155 00:07:12.385 --> 00:07:15.485 The upper left says stop. The upper right is start. 156 00:07:15.945 --> 00:07:18.725 The bottom left is more, and the bottom right is less. 157 00:07:19.585 --> 00:07:21.285 And here's where we start looking at 158 00:07:21.345 --> 00:07:22.845 how we actually spend our days. 159 00:07:23.345 --> 00:07:25.725 And we question of how much of what we're currently doing 160 00:07:26.365 --> 00:07:27.885 actually supports our current priorities. 161 00:07:28.395 --> 00:07:30.645 What meetings are we having that we need to continue 162 00:07:31.265 --> 00:07:33.245 or maybe shorten or make less frequent 163 00:07:33.585 --> 00:07:34.805 or to shut down completely? 164 00:07:35.385 --> 00:07:38.165 And what meetings aren't we having that we need to be 165 00:07:39.005 --> 00:07:40.665 all in service of achieving our vision 166 00:07:40.805 --> 00:07:43.325 and supporting our priorities here? 167 00:07:43.335 --> 00:07:46.005 We've gotta be ruthless. Nothing can be held sacred. 168 00:07:46.695 --> 00:07:48.805 Every standing meeting presentation 169 00:07:48.915 --> 00:07:50.725 dashboard has to be on the block. 170 00:07:51.155 --> 00:07:52.405 Just because we've made a habit 171 00:07:52.405 --> 00:07:54.725 of it doesn't mean it holds more weight than the meeting 172 00:07:54.735 --> 00:07:56.765 we're not having because we can't find the time. 173 00:07:57.715 --> 00:07:59.495 So now we've created some connection 174 00:07:59.675 --> 00:08:01.615 and we've crafted a vision we're excited about, 175 00:08:02.025 --> 00:08:04.655 we've identified what to focus on and how to spend 176 00:08:04.795 --> 00:08:07.935 and not spend our time at this point. 177 00:08:08.125 --> 00:08:10.655 Have we changed the world? Probably not. 178 00:08:11.395 --> 00:08:14.975 But if we've done this well, we've reconnected and realigned 179 00:08:15.035 --> 00:08:16.775 and shut down some time wasters 180 00:08:16.875 --> 00:08:19.535 and added some fresh value in my book, 181 00:08:19.935 --> 00:08:21.255 A pretty great way to spend a day. 182 00:08:21.755 --> 00:08:24.255 If you are looking for someone to run your next offsite 183 00:08:24.675 --> 00:08:27.375 or really if you just wanna bounce some ideas off someone, 184 00:08:27.665 --> 00:08:31.175 reach out anytime, Rachel, at lead above noise.com. 185 00:08:31.555 --> 00:08:33.575 And if your team or organization needs a boost, 186 00:08:33.645 --> 00:08:36.975 whether a workshop, a keynote, a pulse check, let's talk. 187 00:08:37.315 --> 00:08:39.495 You can find me@leadabovenoise.com. 188 00:08:39.835 --> 00:08:41.615 And if you're loving the show, don't forget 189 00:08:41.615 --> 00:08:44.255 to follow Modern Mentor on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, 190 00:08:44.635 --> 00:08:47.255 or wherever you listen and leave that review. 191 00:08:47.675 --> 00:08:50.295 Thanks so much for listening and have a successful week. 192 00:08:50.675 --> 00:08:53.055 Modern Mentor is a quick and Dirty Tips podcast. 193 00:08:53.685 --> 00:08:55.725 It's audio engineered by Dan Rebend. 194 00:08:56.305 --> 00:08:58.605 Our director of podcasts is Brandon Getches. 195 00:08:58.905 --> 00:09:01.205 Our podcast and advertising operations specialist 196 00:09:01.265 --> 00:09:02.445 is Morgan Christensen. 197 00:09:03.025 --> 00:09:05.565 Our digital operations specialist is Holly Hutchin. 198 00:09:06.025 --> 00:09:08.605 Our marketing and publicity associate is Dina Tomlin, 199 00:09:08.785 --> 00:09:10.845 and our marketing contractor is Nathaniel Hoops.