We do our best work together when...

When do we do our best work together?

What would happen if we asked our teams this question? Could they answer with specific examples? Have we given them the freedom to answer the question?

In Jeff Henderson's book Know What You’re For, he tells the story of the former CEO of Popeye's Chicken, and how she was brave enough to ask that question of her executive team.

Their response, "we do our best work together when you don't bring a PowerPoint presentation to the meeting."

Her follow up statement, "tell me more."

The team stated, "when you come in with a presentation, we know you have already made the decision and are not looking for innovative ideas to the proposed problem or situation."

I believe there are two takeaways from this scenario. 

If you want your team's input, come to the meeting with a blank piece of paper.

You walk into the meeting room and notice no printed materials on the table, no projector bouncing light off a screen, but there is a large blank post-it paper on the focal wall. At the head of the table, you also notice two markers read for use. It doesn't take long to realize you are about to enter the discussion zone from the setting. The scene continues with a few opening remarks, and then the leader writing on the post-it a problem or an idea. He then turns to the gathered team and asks, 'what shall we do?' That is one of the most powerful questions a leader can ask his team. Using this to open a dialog encourages input. 

When a leader speaks first, the team could hold back their opinions, which may be better.

Your team lead calls a meeting, and when you arrive, they express a problem and then immediately launch into what they perceive as the solution. Granted, this might be the best solution, but what if it is not? Just by speaking first, the leader has placed a cone of silence over the rest of the team. I dig deeper into this scenario here: Silence that Creates Conversation.

BUT…PowerPoint presentations CAN be a catalyst for conversation.

PowerPoint presentations hinder discussion when only filled with facts, the talking points of the presenter. However, when filled with creative images or phrases, they can stimulate thinking or help someone remember the content.

Even when a presentation is just that, presenting facts, I argue, should not be filled, edge to edge, with text.

I would rather use the slides to show a captivating image. If I want the audience to remember something, I will, but 2 or 3 points on one slide, but most slides have very few words.

The Power of unlocking the uniqueness of a team.

We hire teams to bring their unique skills, talents, and even behaviors when joined together in a group, where great ideas are launched and challenging problems are solved.

So, bring a blank piece of paper, build a creative PowerPoint presentation, whatever you do, invite participation. It is where we do our best work together.