Hi All
Just wanted to let you know I'm just about to dive in.....
As a background I've only just found MT, and spent the last two days of my recent vacation by the pool listening to, and being inspired by, the MT podcasts.
I'm an owner of a UK online business with a team of 7 DRs.
I've already put the meetings podcast (start at a fixed time, timed agenda etc) to the test; I've just come out my first meeting using your techniques. The monthly team meeting that previously took all morning and over a lunch time has just been cut down to just over 2 hours !!! OMG it works ! [I even saved the cost of everyone's sandwiches/food etc so MT has saved me £50 already !)
As soon as I returned from vacation last week I told the team about my intention to do O3s. Yesterday I emailed out a version (less 'American Management Speak', more Uk English) of your template letter with time availability on. Response from the team was almost immediate and we start tomorrow......
I'm a bit apprehensive but also keen to see how it all goes....
Wish me luck...
Phil
Good luck!
Hi Phil,
welcome to another MT convert! Good luck with the O3s. I'm sure they'll go well, and both you and your team will love them. Occasionally they can feel a little awkward to begin with, but mostly I found them very easy, and incredibly useful.
Good luck,
S
Rock on Phil!
Hi Phil,
Brilliant work, I'm sure your O3's will go really well.
Just make sure you don't rush things too much - it is a lot to take on and it really helps to go slow.
Good luck.
Cheers,
Stuart.
OMG it works !
If I had a dime for every time someone had told us that!
Phil - I'm humbled that you're trying our recommendations. I wish you well, I know they'll work, and we're ready to help as you continue to develop yourself.
Well done!
Mark
O3 initial update
Hi All
Just thought I'd give you an update;
Done my first three O3s, with a mix of more experienced and younger members of the team. So far I think they've all been approx 15/20 - 15/10 - 0 in terms of timings but I guess that's OK for a start.
During the three we've discussed items ranging from lost pet cats, difficult family issues, brothers in/out of jail, father's health issues, impending upsetting family milestones.... so I guess I'm some way in on the 'personal' stuff !
On the work side of things one of my direct's first line was "I think I've had a bad few weeks (workwise)..." and we talked through it. I was aware of the issue but it was still good to spend some more time on it. One of the issues I raised with another direct I noticed he arranged (without my involvement) an internal meeting to discuss it the very next day.
Each one so far has started a little awkwardly, but I've started them all with M&M's explanation about 'better communications leads to better professional relationships designed for us all to get better results' (I think that's what you said isnt it?) so they understand what it is I'm trying to do. By the end I think each one I've had to call an end to, to ensure that we stick to 30 minutes.
If i look too closely at each meeting my initial 'manager' reaction is 'hmmm, half an hour and all I've done is highlighted a couple of issues that my direct needs to look at'. Is that good use of time?' but on the other hand, with my MT head on, I see the big picture that just the fact that we're doing them all contributes and will build to the goal of better comms and all that brings.
I've got four more to do to complete my first 'round' of the team, including my two most quiet, non-talkative members of staff. They will be a challenge but let's see how we go.
Oh and Mark, thanks for taking the time to post a reply. Greatly appreciated.
Phil
Good on ya...
Phil-
Keep it up. The value of One on Ones is the investment over time. One or two or ten aren't going to be revelatory...but 50 will make you feel like you can't do without.
Looking forward to brief updates when you think of it...we're here to help.
Mark
3 week update
Just about to go into another O3 so I just thought I'd post an update, with a couple of questions;
Generally things are going well. Just the fact of having a weekly 30 minute catch up with each member of the team is good. The acceptance level has been 100% - no problems there. I've had a range of meetings ranging from an elderly relative's operations through to bone-dry work catch ups.
My questions;
1) The 10-10-10 structure just isnt happening, We're ending up, in most cases, with a 30 minute work update, mixed in with subsequent tasks to be done, issues solved/to be solved. Is this OK?
2) I've got one particularly untalkative member of the team who I'm finding it difficult to get anything out of him, other than straight forward, 'everything is going OK' type answers. Even when I dig I still get nothing. I dont think that he's being awkward or defensive, it's just him being himself. I've even asked him how he sees his role/him developing and I get nothing much out of him. He seems happy enough in his job. Any suggestions? Or should I be content with a happy, but untalkative team member?
Some people are slow to open up
Some people take some time to open up or may never open up as much as you'd like. They're just more reserved or wary of bringing personal stuff to work. If you're happy with his work and he seems happy then let him be himself. Continue asking the questions but don't be surprised when you get a straight forward answer. Similarly don't be too surprised if one day he does open up.
Stephen
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Skype: stephenbooth_uk | DiSC: 6137
"Start with the customer and work backwards, not with the tools and work forwards" - James Womack