We start every day with a certain amount of willpower (or energy or vitality), which we can use to make a consistent commitment to our health and wellbeing. We can also use willpower to cultivate safe, helpful, diverse, energizing, reciprocal, compassionate, and healthy relationships.
These two things – consistent commitment to health and wellbeing and building strong relationships – are critical for team success.
The thing is that not every team starts their day or week with check-ins about where folks are at in terms of their willpower (or energy or vitality or wellbeing or vibes).
Here are three simple ways that teams can check in with each other on their ability to invest in wellbeing and relationships:
- A number on a scale of 1-10: “I’m an eight this morning; let’s goooo!” or “The teething toddler had me up all night; the best I can bring is a four today”
- Emojis: 😃 or 😕 or 🫣
- Batteries (e.g. past a battery-level that matches your energy level)
Can you tell what energy or amount of willpower teammates are bringing to work based on these different responses? What tactic might you have used with your teammates this morning?
Teams can use digital channels like Slack or Teams to check-in with each other once or twice a week (a facilitator of a workshop I attended Monday said he used to do it every day with a team – cool practice, but seems like a lot). Leaders can also use a scaling question with employees during one-on-one meetings only if they are willing to authentically engage when someone is below a six; for example, if someone is struggling the last thing they need to hear is “okay, good level-setting, let’s plow ahead with a the big project!”.
According to HR Reporter, workers in Canada miss work for 12 days on average because of mental health issues. Every year, the Canadian economy suffers $50 billion in losses on absenteeism and disability, while employers face $17 billion in losses on the business cost of reduced productivity.
How will you role model the importance of checking in about health and wellbeing with your community today?