In our journey towards fostering collaboration within schools and organizations, we often encounter a common sentiment: the structures and processes designed to enhance collaboration can sometimes feel contrived and mechanical. The incorporation of things like norms, roles, and continuums of support may seem overly linear and, dare we say, robotic.
So, how do we navigate this perception? It's a question many leaders grapple with, including those who facilitate these team meetings. The acknowledgment that these practices may feel awkward and contrived is the first step towards addressing the concerns of leaders who share these sentiments. Indeed, these measures may evoke a sense of rigidity, as people are often accustomed to a more flexible approach in team settings. However, we invite leaders to reflect on the transformative potential of building organizational cultures of habit that feel natural over time.
Cultures of habit, as we define them, involve using intentional habits and structures to focus on collaboration itself. While structural elements like norms and roles may initially feel out of place, over time they become explicit designations that guide teams seamlessly through meetings. These intentional habits extend beyond the introduction phase, becoming ingrained in the fabric of the organization.
Drawing parallels between personal and organizational habits, we recognize that habits form the foundation of our interactions. Organizations, like individuals, can develop habits that either hinder or enhance collaboration. The emphasis is on intentionally reinforcing habits that normalize positive behaviors and actions which open the doors to diving into deep discussions with innovative possibilities.
A habit that has an immediate and long standing impact on how teams function is beginning each meeting with celebrations. By intentionally identifying and reflecting on successes, teams cultivate a habit of seeking strengths and learning from our achievements. These seemingly small structural components, such as taking time to celebrate, may appear inconsequential but play a significant role in normalizing positive practices. For a more in depth explanation of celebrations during collaborative team meetings, please check out this blog Examining Collaborative Team Meetings – Focus on Impact During Celebrations.
Kurtis and Lorna Hewson discuss the power of celebrations as an integral part of each and every team meeting. They discuss why celebrations are about more than just starting a meeting on a positive note, how intentional focus on what we’ve done that has led to a celebration matters and what are some considerations to take the discussion of celebrations to the next level!
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The role of a timekeeper is a crucial habit-building tool. While initially feeling awkward and constraining, consistent use of a timekeeper becomes an integral part of organizational expectations. The gradual development of an innate sense of time management is a testament to the transformative power of purposeful habits.
In addition to the role of timekeeper, we would also encourage readers to investigate the function and impact that other intentional roles may have in creating a culture of collaboration. As with the role of timekeeper, the role of facilitator, note keeper, norms analyst and more, when initially introduced are mechanical but can effectively form positive habits that enhance collaboration. The following list provides examples of possible roles:
Do not overlook or dismiss the seemingly minor structural components. These components, when approached with high degrees of intentionality, serve as the building blocks for cultivating habits that normalize collaborative behaviors. Embrace these tools, no matter how awkward they may seem initially, as they pave the way for high-impact, collaborative teams and cultures within organizations.
We’d like to extend an invitation to our community, to share with us your experiences of integrating practices of habit that have made a tremendous difference over time. Your insights and examples contribute to the collective wisdom of our collaborative journey.
Email or if you have questions or something you wish to share related to the topic of establishing purposeful habits.
Don't Skip Celebrations When Beginning Any Team Meeting
