Energize Your Team with This Simple but Neglected Technique

February 22, 2024
Category: Build an Accountable, Self-Sufficient Team

At the end of the year, I facilitated a planning meeting with one of my clients and his managers. In these meetings we take stock of the past year and set goals and priorities for the coming year. 

It’s my practice in these planning meetings to take a time to make a list of all the good things that have happened over the past year. We usually create a long list. It gives everyone a chance to appreciate how much they’ve accomplished over the past year.

At the end of this exercise, one of the managers, who’d never been through an exercise like this, said “This is great! Why haven’t we done this before? We should do this at every meeting!” He had a good point.

Why don’t we take time to look at the good things that are happening around us?

Honestly, I don’t think that most owners are wired that way. The business owners I know spend most of their time focused on what’s not working in their businesses. It’s how they find the things that need to be fixed to continually improve their businesses. You’re probably wired that way too. 

But focusing on what’s not working also causes stress, frustration and dissatisfaction with your business and life. Research shows that frequently taking stock of all the good things in your business and life can significantly increase your happiness, contribute to greater success, and even improve your health. And it’s a great motivator and energizer for your team!

Here are a few simple ideas for focusing on the positive throughout the year to energize and motivate yourself and your team:

• For planning meetings:
  • Ask the participants to write down the top 5 wins or successes that happened this year for them, their department, and the business. 
  • Ask them to share their ideas while you capture them on a flip chart. You’ll have 20 or 30 items in no time at all.
  • For bonus points, ask them how this list makes them feel.
    
• For department meetings:
  • At the beginning of the meeting, ask each person to tell the group something good that has happened at work or in their life since the last meeting. One of my clients who does this said that it’s a good ice breaker, and it sets a great tone for the meeting.
    
• For yourself:
  • Make a gratitude list at the end of the day with 3 positive things that happened that you’re grateful for. You may be amazed by how much better it can make you feel. 

What you appreciate, appreciates

There’s a saying that I like – “What you appreciate, appreciates.” What it means is that the things you show gratitude, and appreciation for in your business and life tend to grow. Appreciating the good things also tends to reduce your stress and make you happier!

Give it a try! You’ll be happy that you did!

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