The Group Forward

Have you ever studied the Kubler-Ross Model for change? More commonly known as the "Change Curve"? Take a moment to look at this. The theory is that no matter the change, everyone goes through this. We might be experiencing this at different rates and stay in parts of the curve longer than others, but this is it. This is what change looks like for humans (at work...and elsewhere). In a manager workshop I ran today, I shared this as a tool that could live in the background while you apply other practical strategies to leading change work, at work. A few juicy questions came up in our session discussion. One workshop participant asked: "Where does confusion fit in? My people are often confused when changes are going on." In our discussion here's where we landed: after 'depression' - and as you move into acceptance with experimentation, folks often need validation that change can be confusing! And they might need extra scaffolding for how to experiment. Some guardrails and criteria for what good experimentation can look like, shared language and tools can really support your team with reducing confusion and getting to "doing" some experimentation sooner. [Need some help flexing your team's experimentation muscle? Bring us in to support a Design Sprint where we'll teach you how to do it while we run it https://lnkd.in/eRvPNjzB]. Another juicy topic was "Where does inertia fit in? My team says they get it, but they aren't actually changing how they work, and that's what I need them to do." In our discussion, here's where we landed: We think that their team members are still in denial. And if that's what's going on - what kind of human conversations could help move them along the resistance phase they are in and move them into the acceptance phase of change? [Maybe the team needs a pause from current ways of working and space to consider the larger implications of this change and why now? Bring us in to help run a meaningful team retreat that will help change hearts, minds, and behaviors that your team culture needs https://lnkd.in/e2-Y8dUF]. We love this stuff at the The Group Forward - let's partner! #changemanagement #changecurve #designsprints #humancentereddesign #teamretreats #teamoffsites

"How often should we run retros? Should it be the entire team? Or just sub-teams?" My answer: depends (haha classic consultant) BUT the short-hand answer is striking a balance between team time, capacity and getting your reps in around slowing down before you speed up. The healthiest teams I work use retros as a hygiene and team wellness move. They are able to talk about hard things together the more they talk about hard things together. And the 'hard things' get less hard. Then the work and how the work gets done also improve. Some common moves I try to encourage: * Fit it into existing meetings you have on the calendar and/or schedule the meetings now! (Get that calendar blocked!) * For teams? Consider meeting at least quarterly, if not monthly. And if your work is project-driven, do retros at the end of the project. These can be 30 minutes...or if you have the luxury of time, consider 60 or 90-minute sessions. * Track it: Look at what you committed to / adjust from your last retro and compare it to patterns you see in your current work. What's coming up again and again? What needs some re-thinking/ re-tooling/re-design? * Rotate the facilitator role, distribute the leadership to encourage diversity of voices and perspectives Inspired to try? I wrote this "how to guide" for thinking about running retros and group reflective sessions. Consider helpful pre-work and primers to get everyone in the right mindset for 'group sense making'. When the group can make sense of things together, there's a sense of shared understanding of both what's working (and what to do more of) and where there's tension (and where to prioritize your 'fix it' efforts). https://lnkd.in/e-GBRmvk #retros #retreats #teamplanning #planning #facilitation #reflection The Group Forward

Insulet’s Global Sales and Clinical Training team recently welcomed clinical and sales trainers from around the world to our London office for a premier Facilitation Skills Workshop, hosted in partnership with The Group Forward.   Over two days, Insulet trainers from around the world learned how to strengthen their facilitation skills to enhance sales and clinical training to our global field teams.   By continuing to invest in our team’s facilitation skills, we’re better equipped to engage with customers and support people with diabetes worldwide.   #TeamInsulet