I use a foundational principle to encourage the leaders I work with to approach building better connections and relationships with their team.

I invite you to think about it as a PRACTICE.

For example, I have an Art Practice. This means that every week, I set aside time to paint.

The cumulative benefits of this are;

• I gradually improve my skills over time.
• It feels manageable.
• The volume of work I produce means that I don't feel as precious or daunted with any single painting.
• It improves my wellbeing.
• And every time I do it, I'm positively reinforcing the fact that this commitment to progress is important to me which propels me to do it the following week!

Another example you may be familiar with is a Yoga Practice. This is what inspired this week's painting!

You can watch the painting timelapse of me painting this by clicking below 👇

The benefits of a Yoga Practice are similar except this time, you end up improving your strength and flexibility.

Now, to your team 👉 It's time to build a CONNECTION PRACTICE.

Workplace relationships are incredibly important but we can end up transacting with each other, mainly on a superficial level about work projects at the expense of making space for more meaningful conversations.

And yet it's by connecting in meaningful ways that makes people feel fully seen and understood.

Idea for Action 👉

The first step in getting better at connecting with your team is to acknowledge that it requires you to carve out time each week.

Only you can decide how and when this time shows up in your week but the most important thing is that you schedule it in your calendar!

Whether it's adding an extra 10 minutes onto your direct reports' weekly 121s, blocking out 15 minutes each day to pick up the phone and call one of your team, or making Wednesday the time for an in-person team lunch.

Get it in the diary as an unmovable chunk (or chunks) of delicious time where you are going to take steps to carry out the crucial work of building meaningful connection with your team.

I hope you've enjoyed reading. I'd love to hear your perspective - leave a comment below or get in touch.

As always, stay curious!

Louise