WEBVTT 1 00:00:18.625 --> 00:00:20.725 Hey, it's Rachel Cook, your modern mentor. 2 00:00:21.265 --> 00:00:22.685 I'm the founder of Lead Above Noise, 3 00:00:22.685 --> 00:00:24.965 where we help leaders activate performance 4 00:00:25.025 --> 00:00:26.845 and engagement without burning out. 5 00:00:27.315 --> 00:00:29.205 Whether it's bootcamps, keynotes, 6 00:00:29.205 --> 00:00:31.165 or pulse checks, we deliver workshops 7 00:00:31.165 --> 00:00:32.885 and programs that drive meaningful change. 8 00:00:33.425 --> 00:00:35.685 If your workplace is ready for an activation boost, 9 00:00:35.975 --> 00:00:39.005 shoot me an email, rachel@leadabovenoise.com. 10 00:00:40.195 --> 00:00:43.015 So I recently returned from my last flight of the year, 11 00:00:43.515 --> 00:00:45.535 and as we were rolling into the holiday season, 12 00:00:46.175 --> 00:00:48.175 I will spare you the choice words that come 13 00:00:48.175 --> 00:00:51.095 to mind when I think of that particular airport experience. 14 00:00:51.595 --> 00:00:53.815 But as I stood in the nightmare security line, 15 00:00:54.125 --> 00:00:56.975 this woman in front of me suddenly drops her boarding pass. 16 00:00:57.365 --> 00:01:00.535 Yeah, it was like an old school paper one, and I looked down 17 00:01:00.635 --> 00:01:02.295 and I saw a bunch of scribbles on it, 18 00:01:02.595 --> 00:01:04.575 little notes saying things like power 19 00:01:04.605 --> 00:01:05.855 bars and phone charger. 20 00:01:06.815 --> 00:01:09.735 I saw it, she saw me see it, and we both started chuckling. 21 00:01:09.995 --> 00:01:11.175 It was just really relatable 22 00:01:11.475 --> 00:01:14.135 and we ended up having this great conversation about 23 00:01:14.475 --> 00:01:17.415 how we both tend to forget power bars and phone chargers, 24 00:01:17.475 --> 00:01:19.375 and it just passed the time for us. 25 00:01:20.055 --> 00:01:21.215 Thinking about it later. 26 00:01:21.615 --> 00:01:23.575 I had an appreciation for the realization 27 00:01:23.605 --> 00:01:25.295 that connection doesn't have 28 00:01:25.295 --> 00:01:27.175 to come from these big planned moments. 29 00:01:27.645 --> 00:01:30.255 Sometimes it's just about catching the small opportunities 30 00:01:30.355 --> 00:01:33.015 to show up for someone and share a laugh 31 00:01:33.075 --> 00:01:34.495 or make them feel seen. 32 00:01:35.415 --> 00:01:37.535 I think we need more of this mindset in the workplace 33 00:01:38.355 --> 00:01:40.295 amidst the big return to office battles. 34 00:01:40.295 --> 00:01:42.175 While we still wade through the great detachment, 35 00:01:42.875 --> 00:01:44.975 it just feels like we're missing something essential. 36 00:01:45.475 --> 00:01:47.255 So how can we start to build some moments 37 00:01:47.355 --> 00:01:50.575 of organic connection in the workplace without relying on 38 00:01:50.605 --> 00:01:53.295 overblown policies or global corporate efforts? 39 00:01:54.225 --> 00:01:55.955 Here are some things that come to mind for me. 40 00:01:56.845 --> 00:01:59.355 First, create a culture of micro moments. 41 00:01:59.805 --> 00:02:01.315 Connection doesn't have to be grand. 42 00:02:01.815 --> 00:02:04.035 It can live in the tiniest moments of interaction. 43 00:02:04.775 --> 00:02:05.835 And when you create a culture, 44 00:02:05.865 --> 00:02:08.435 when these moments are encouraged, they start to add up 45 00:02:09.055 --> 00:02:10.185 something to play with. 46 00:02:10.645 --> 00:02:13.585 At the start of your next team meeting, ask everyone 47 00:02:13.585 --> 00:02:17.025 to share a 3, 2, 1, check-in three words to describe 48 00:02:17.045 --> 00:02:19.425 how they're feeling, two things they're looking forward to, 49 00:02:19.565 --> 00:02:20.825 and one question for the group, 50 00:02:21.325 --> 00:02:23.265 or insert your own goofball rules. 51 00:02:24.015 --> 00:02:25.025 It's quick, it's light, 52 00:02:25.025 --> 00:02:26.785 and it creates an opportunity for people 53 00:02:26.785 --> 00:02:29.065 to share a little more about themselves in a really 54 00:02:29.085 --> 00:02:30.105 low pressure way. 55 00:02:30.805 --> 00:02:32.505 No need to share anything deeply private, 56 00:02:32.815 --> 00:02:35.665 just a little glimpse into the non-work sides of ourselves. 57 00:02:36.375 --> 00:02:38.185 Over time, these moments build trust 58 00:02:38.325 --> 00:02:40.385 and open the doors to deeper conversations. 59 00:02:41.525 --> 00:02:44.295 Next, build connection around shared challenges. 60 00:02:44.795 --> 00:02:46.735 We tend to bond more deeply over our 61 00:02:47.015 --> 00:02:48.215 challenges than our successes. 62 00:02:48.875 --> 00:02:51.215 So invite your team to share lessons from things 63 00:02:51.215 --> 00:02:52.735 that didn't go perfectly. 64 00:02:53.475 --> 00:02:56.535 One fun way to try it is host a failure party. 65 00:02:57.045 --> 00:03:00.365 Like ask team members to each bring one story of something 66 00:03:00.365 --> 00:03:02.725 that went sideways and what they learned from it. 67 00:03:03.255 --> 00:03:04.485 Bonus points if it's funny, 68 00:03:04.585 --> 00:03:06.765 but it definitely has to offer a lesson. 69 00:03:07.555 --> 00:03:09.805 This shouldn't be about moments of sloppiness 70 00:03:09.825 --> 00:03:12.765 or carelessness, but around intentional risks 71 00:03:12.765 --> 00:03:15.365 that you took like times when you tried something new 72 00:03:15.465 --> 00:03:19.285 or altered an age old approach and the outcome wasn't a win, 73 00:03:19.665 --> 00:03:20.765 but it delivered a message. 74 00:03:21.785 --> 00:03:24.085 Not only does this normalize imperfection, 75 00:03:24.465 --> 00:03:26.045 but it also gives people a chance 76 00:03:26.045 --> 00:03:28.045 to connect over their shared humanity. 77 00:03:28.635 --> 00:03:31.165 Vulnerability can be a real shortcut to trust. 78 00:03:34.885 --> 00:03:38.535 Next, reimagine rituals for remote and hybrid teams. 79 00:03:39.045 --> 00:03:41.495 When your team is scattered across different locations, 80 00:03:42.215 --> 00:03:44.295 creating shared rituals can make everyone feel 81 00:03:44.365 --> 00:03:45.455 part of the same story. 82 00:03:46.165 --> 00:03:49.175 Here are a few that I've seen throughout 2024. 83 00:03:49.905 --> 00:03:51.895 We've got self-care share circles. 84 00:03:52.555 --> 00:03:54.455 For the first five minutes of a virtual meeting, 85 00:03:54.965 --> 00:03:57.375 each team member shares one thing they did 86 00:03:57.375 --> 00:03:58.455 for themselves that week. 87 00:03:58.675 --> 00:04:01.055 In the spirit of self-care doesn't have 88 00:04:01.055 --> 00:04:02.735 to be about manicur and massages. 89 00:04:03.115 --> 00:04:05.095 It totally counts. If you set a boundary 90 00:04:05.435 --> 00:04:06.695 or you did a walking meeting 91 00:04:06.955 --> 00:04:08.655 or you asked for help on a big project. 92 00:04:09.275 --> 00:04:10.415 The exchange of these ideas 93 00:04:10.595 --> 00:04:13.655 and the normalizing of caring for ourselves is a big win. 94 00:04:14.385 --> 00:04:18.255 We've got team shared wins spaces, just a shared doc 95 00:04:18.275 --> 00:04:21.415 or a team site where we post and save our victories. 96 00:04:22.055 --> 00:04:24.295 A quick note from a customer expressing gratitude 97 00:04:24.435 --> 00:04:26.415 or an invitation to speak at a meeting, 98 00:04:27.115 --> 00:04:29.055 not being shy about our own moments of glory 99 00:04:29.115 --> 00:04:31.415 and inviting our team members to celebrate with us. 100 00:04:32.455 --> 00:04:34.155 And finally, handoff notes. 101 00:04:34.705 --> 00:04:36.995 Working across time zones can be a challenge, 102 00:04:37.335 --> 00:04:38.995 but it also has its advantages. 103 00:04:39.595 --> 00:04:41.675 Asynchronous collaboration can be cool. 104 00:04:42.415 --> 00:04:44.835 We do our part, we pass it off to someone else, 105 00:04:45.255 --> 00:04:46.475 and when we wake up in the morning, 106 00:04:47.035 --> 00:04:48.355 progress has happened while we were sleeping, 107 00:04:49.375 --> 00:04:51.795 but creating a ritual of passing your piece off 108 00:04:51.795 --> 00:04:54.915 to a colleague along with a note, maybe with a theme. 109 00:04:55.465 --> 00:04:57.315 This can be a fun way to drive connection. 110 00:04:58.025 --> 00:05:01.435 Like maybe one week everybody mentions in the handoff the 111 00:05:01.435 --> 00:05:02.875 best thing that they binged on Netflix, 112 00:05:03.495 --> 00:05:05.675 and then the following week we all share a link 113 00:05:05.675 --> 00:05:07.195 to the best dog video we saw that week. 114 00:05:07.825 --> 00:05:10.835 Just the habit of putting something personal in the note, 115 00:05:10.985 --> 00:05:13.155 handing off your work to whomever picks it up next 116 00:05:13.575 --> 00:05:14.675 can drive connection up. 117 00:05:15.525 --> 00:05:18.255 Next strategy is explore the buddy system. 118 00:05:18.795 --> 00:05:20.575 People connect when they feel seen 119 00:05:20.595 --> 00:05:22.695 and appreciated for what they bring to the table. 120 00:05:23.315 --> 00:05:24.895 So create opportunities for your team 121 00:05:24.895 --> 00:05:27.295 to learn about each other's roles, their challenges 122 00:05:27.315 --> 00:05:28.375 and their strengths. 123 00:05:29.125 --> 00:05:30.495 Play around with a buddy system, 124 00:05:30.965 --> 00:05:32.615 like maybe one day each month, 125 00:05:32.955 --> 00:05:34.855 two people buddy up to shadow each other. 126 00:05:35.595 --> 00:05:38.575 So maybe Linda from client acquisition spends the morning 127 00:05:38.645 --> 00:05:40.255 shadowing Dan in marketing. 128 00:05:40.795 --> 00:05:43.215 She pops into his meetings, contributes to 129 00:05:43.275 --> 00:05:45.015 or just learns about his key projects. 130 00:05:45.555 --> 00:05:47.175 And then in the afternoon they switch. 131 00:05:47.525 --> 00:05:50.335 They can do some q and a and just broaden their experience 132 00:05:50.355 --> 00:05:52.135 and their understanding of each other's roles. 133 00:05:52.925 --> 00:05:54.935 It's an amazing way to create more empathy 134 00:05:54.935 --> 00:05:56.935 for each other while also enhancing 135 00:05:57.110 --> 00:05:58.365 our decision making capability. 136 00:05:59.185 --> 00:06:00.365 We make better choices 137 00:06:00.435 --> 00:06:03.285 that are more well thought out when we understand 138 00:06:03.285 --> 00:06:04.765 what the teams around us are doing 139 00:06:04.825 --> 00:06:06.205 and what challenges they're facing. 140 00:06:07.025 --> 00:06:10.245 And finally, use connection to unlock innovation 141 00:06:10.915 --> 00:06:13.285 when people feel connected, collaboration 142 00:06:13.285 --> 00:06:14.805 and creativity tend to follow. 143 00:06:15.905 --> 00:06:18.005 So why not tie connection to problem solving? 144 00:06:19.035 --> 00:06:20.165 Like here's an idea. 145 00:06:21.025 --> 00:06:23.325 Run two truths and a brainstorm sessions. 146 00:06:23.635 --> 00:06:25.845 Team members share two truths about their current 147 00:06:26.125 --> 00:06:27.965 challenges, and then the group collaborates 148 00:06:27.965 --> 00:06:29.565 to brainstorm ideas or solutions. 149 00:06:30.155 --> 00:06:31.365 It's connection with a purpose, 150 00:06:31.985 --> 00:06:33.165 and it gives everyone a chance 151 00:06:33.165 --> 00:06:35.925 to contribute while learning from each other's perspectives. 152 00:06:36.735 --> 00:06:38.525 Connection isn't something you can force, 153 00:06:39.025 --> 00:06:41.445 but you can create the conditions where it's more likely 154 00:06:41.465 --> 00:06:44.245 to happen by making space for small moments, 155 00:06:45.005 --> 00:06:47.485 encouraging vulnerability and sparking curiosity. 156 00:06:48.145 --> 00:06:50.165 So pick one of these ideas and give it a try. 157 00:06:50.675 --> 00:06:53.565 Whether it's a 3, 2, 1, check-in a failure party 158 00:06:53.625 --> 00:06:57.125 or a roll swap, and whatever it is, notice how it feels 159 00:06:57.125 --> 00:06:59.325 to invite connection into your day-to-day. 160 00:07:00.285 --> 00:07:01.605 Remember, connection doesn't have to begin 161 00:07:01.605 --> 00:07:02.885 with executive sponsorship. 162 00:07:03.215 --> 00:07:05.445 We're all empowered to shift our own experiences, 163 00:07:06.145 --> 00:07:08.645 so start small and have a willingness to play a little. 164 00:07:10.435 --> 00:07:12.445 Join me next week for another great episode. 165 00:07:12.735 --> 00:07:15.725 Until then, visit my website@leadabovenoise.com. 166 00:07:16.105 --> 00:07:18.245 If your workplace could use an activation boost, 167 00:07:18.435 --> 00:07:20.205 whether it's a bootcamp, a keynote, 168 00:07:20.345 --> 00:07:21.765 or a pulse check you choose, 169 00:07:22.465 --> 00:07:24.725 you can follow Modern Mentor on Apple Podcasts, 170 00:07:24.725 --> 00:07:26.285 Spotify, or wherever you listen. 171 00:07:26.665 --> 00:07:29.125 Thanks so much for listening and have a successful week. 172 00:07:30.085 --> 00:07:32.265 Modern Mentor is a quick and Dirty Tips podcast. 173 00:07:32.895 --> 00:07:34.745 It's audio engineered by Dan Rebend. 174 00:07:35.165 --> 00:07:37.345 Our director of podcasts is Brandon Getches. 175 00:07:37.725 --> 00:07:39.985 Our podcast and advertising operations specialist 176 00:07:40.045 --> 00:07:41.145 is Morgan Christensen. 177 00:07:41.725 --> 00:07:44.145 Our digital operations specialist is Holly Hutchings. 178 00:07:44.485 --> 00:07:47.025 Our marketing and publicity associate is Davina Tomlin, 179 00:07:47.325 --> 00:07:49.665 and our marketing contractor is Nathaniel Hoops.