(Reprinted with permission from Winning at Work)
The ability to communicate lies at the very heart of every successful leader. It is the essence of getting things done and delivering the four things every employee wants from their boss. (You can find the details on DARTs here)
About ten years ago one of our clients shared a brilliantly simple communication practice with me that increases employee engagement, efficiency and teamwork. We’ve refined it a bit, and people who have adopted it have seen stunning results. It works at every level, from the c-suite to front-line managers, and is particularly effective with companies focused on customer experience.
The awesome bit is that it only takes six minutes out of every day. Here’s how it works:
Six Minutes That Can Transform A Team
Every morning (or at the beginning of every shift), gather your direct team for no more than six minutes and follow this formula:
Immutable Rules For A Successful Huddle
For your 6-minute huddle to work, there are some rules you absolutely have to follow. Breaking even one of these rules will defeat the whole purpose:
a) Have a huddle daily
Don’t make this a weekly or monthly thing. If you want results it has to be part of a daily routine. It’s only six minutes. You can afford six minutes.
b) Plan and structure it in advance
If you just try to “wing it” your huddles will fail. I guarantee it. Know what you are going to say in advance. make sure that your presenters have at least a week’s notice.
c) Everyone stands
Take the chairs out of the room. It’s only six minutes, and you want everyone focused.
d) Focus on the positive
This is NOT a “here’s where we messed-up yesterday” forum. If there are any negative things to be said, pick another time and another place.
e) Respect the time
Six minutes is six minutes. Not seven. Not six-and-a-half. Set the timer on your phone to go off. (Do the same for the 2.5 minute presentation). Even if someone is in mid-sentence, cut them off and end the meeting. You will only have to do this once or twice for people to get the idea.
I can’t begin to count how many people have sent me emails about the success they have had with this. But don’t just take my word for it. Try it for a few weeks and see for yourself.
© Shaun Belding All Rights Reserved.