Tactical Tip #7: Mentor Someone

Everybody needs somebody in their corner!

• Reflect on who made a difference in your life, and resolve to play it forward.
• Mentors can bring stability and hope when someone is climbing towards a goal.
• Like a good scout, you have to be trustworthy, honest and patient.
• But you don't have to be perfect; by sharing your own struggles, you paint possibilities.
• Be a cheerleader, suggest alternatives, but above all, listen.
• Ask probing questions, but don't try to solve your mentee's problems.
• Be accessible, meet regularly and help your mentee track small successes.

Check out who mentored celebrities at www.hsph.harvard.edu/chc/wmy.

Dr. Normal H. Cohen has a good series of mentoring materials and models.

Tactical Tip #6: Consistency is Key

Treating people consistently is critical for building strong teams.

• While individual situations deserve consideration, avoid the appearance of favoritism.
• Time off for family responsibilities, educational commitments,  community service and health issues should be administered fairly.
• Rewarding people for hanging around after hours is a close cousin of 'teacher's pet.'
• Project leaders and supervisors need to work extra hard to understand staff who have different work styles.
• Team members need to appreciate others whose assignments require extra time or specialized skills.
• We all worry that "Mom loves you best", whether its an individual or another work group.
• Perception of more resources, less consequences, higher visibility or a separate set of rules breeds hostility and undermines productivity.

Written personnel policies and procedures, while appearing to stifle flexibility, can encourage conversations and avoid misunderstandings.

Tactical Tip #5: Team Notebooks

Capture decisions, questions and ideas in a shared space to create a reference guide and encourage reflections.

• Rotate responsibility for documenting group agreements, upcoming goals and other discussions.
• Make a habit of having group members review and sign off on the documentation.
• Items can include the mundane (who is responsible for cleaning out the fridge before a long weekend) as well as critical success factors (how will the team train on the new system and maintain productivity?)
• The Notebook can help new members understand the team's history, achievements and barriers.
• Focus on content over form, but ensure comments are clear enough for absent members.
• In developing agendas, reference the Notebook to keep good ideas in the hopper.
• Team Notebooks differ from meeting minutes in that they are less formal and not circulated outside the group.  More like a shared diary.

Tactical Tip #4: Take Care

Create space to avoid meltdowns:  Devoted workers are most vulnerable to burn-out!

• Develop habits that buffer you from workday stressors.
• Skipping sleep and ignoring other parts of your life weakens endurance.
• Sleep improves memory and aids in problem solving.
• Take a recess -- try a change of scenery at lunch or during your commute.
• Break big problems into smaller pieces and tackle what you have control over.
• Bolster your confidence by reviewing past successes -- keep a "smile file."
• Humor can deflect toxic vibes; be careful, bad moods are contagious.
• Groups may create a crisis to avoid complexity.  Side-step drama.
• Do your part, but keep a focus on your future.

Tactical Tip #3: Don't Settle

The best jobs include variety, challenge, autonomy -- and a good boss.

• Even in these times, take risks to build on your natural strengths.
• Just because you can do a job doesn't mean its best for you long term.
• Pay, status and security are seductive; don't be rash, but also don't succumb to fear and fatigue.
• Valued employees are resilient and multi skilled; cross training is a win-win.
• Understand how your job contributes to the success of your team -- and your boss.
• But remember, you are being paid for what you do now, not to build your talents.
• So explore how you can learn something new, while being productive.

~~ Listen to your gut, and move towards your interests ~~