Leading with Emotional Intelligence: Hands-On ... - always yours

TEAMWORK AND COLLABORATION TOOLS AND STRATEGIES 181
MATERIALS NEEDED
White board or fl ip chart and pens
PROCEDURE
• Ask the leader to prepare ahead of time a list of what he or
she expects from the team (e.g., open and honest communication,
they come to you with recommendations versus problems,
they give above and beyond the call of duty).
• Have your team prepare their expectations of you and each
other. Send out an email or tell them about this exercise a
week before the meeting.
• Read your list slowly to the team. Let them ask questions and
try to engage them in a dialogue about your expectations.
• Now, have each person state one expectation of you and
write it down on the fl ip chart. Stop when more clarification
is needed and get examples, where possible. Go around the
room until you have heard from everyone.
• Look at the list and give your comments. Is there anything
on the list that you can’t do for some reason? Tell the team
you’ll work on meeting their expectations.
• Then have the team share their expectations of each other
(e.g., get back in touch with each other within 24 hours for
emails, support each other in meetings). Things that get
repeated often can be guidelines for your team.
• Again, hear from one person and go around the group as
many times as needed to fi nish hearing all the expectations
from everyone. Encourage discussion and clarification. If
things were communicated negatively, have them give an
example and ask what they would rather see.
• Send out the notes so everyone has a copy of the expectations.