Are there things about you that people do not know? We all know the answer to that question – but is anything on that list that others need to know? Maybe you love to problem solve. Maybe you led a team of 20 people at one point in your career. Maybe there is some part of the business you want to learn more about. Maybe you get 150 emails a day and prefer phone calls.
Are there things about you that others see and you do not?
Several years ago a friend shared some feedback with me that we still laugh about. He told me that whenever he told a story, I usually followed up with a better one. I did not realize it – but watched myself for a few days and there it was – the proof. It was funny, and I was unaware of it. In JoHari Window language, it was a BLIND SPOT.
If you are not familiar with it, here is a link to a short YouTube video that explains it.
Talent management is about having great conversations. When we talk, we develop relationships with the people around us, and at the core of those relationships is knowledge that we bring to every interaction.
Here are 3 tips to continually develop your team and teamwork.
TIP 1: As part of any team meeting spend 5 minutes asking/answering these questions:
- This week – What are two wins? What is keeping me up at night?
These questions are almost guaranteed to keep a steady flow of HIDDEN items that will be valuable for the team to know.
TIP 2: When you have an off-site and you are looking for ways to get people sharing/laughing – have everyone answer the following questions for themselves and their teammates. Next, go around the room and have others share first, seeing if they matched answers with the individual.
- What is one thing I am really good at doing?
- How do you know I am having a good day?
- How do you know when I am stressed?
- How do you know I am listening / not listening?
After this, watch the JoHari Window video and ask the questions: What came out in our last discussion that could be considered HIDDEN? A BLIND SPOT? What is the impact of having that information in the OPEN area for you? For this team? What is one way we can be more purposeful about these conversations?
TIP 3: I often use a tool called the Team Member Fact Sheet to get people talking. Using it as a tool to get to know new teammates or test the knowledge of existing teams.
Talent management is about great conversations. Go have one!