Here’s a remarkably straight path from eww to epic

Drum roll, please…this week I’m going to offer you four simple steps to make you feel Epic in your workplace.

I’ve always loved the work of Chip and Dan Heath.  Their “The Power of Moments”  book is one of my favourites.  I’ve used their E.P.I.C. framework (acronym mine) as inspiration to design Easter Eggs for learning. I also use the same framework for team building and working better together.

Along those lines, I thought we’d dive into a remarkably straight path from eww to epic, thanks once again to their work and show you how you can be E.P.I.C.

When you and/or your team are flailing and foundering, these four simple steps can revive and rehabilitate.  

First the steps, and then some examples.

Elevate

Elevate the moment, say the Heath brothers.  Give everyone (yourself included) a lift by doing small things that make a big difference.

Example: hide some Easter Eggs in your next Zoom call.  Easter eggs are taken from the world of online gaming and are little things that are subtly hidden in plain sight.  I’ve been known to ‘hide’ an SDG watermark on a PowerPoint presentation slide, and then after the workshop challenge participants to take a second look and find it.  You can read more about how I do this here.

Pride

Bring a sense of pride.  Help folks take pride in themselves, the team, and everyone’s accomplishments big and small.

Example: Pride can be encouraged through celebrating.  Find ways to celebrate.  With a recent online team building with some 130 participants across the globe, I held ‘Oscar’ celebrations as teams had made short videos with their wish for their team and then ‘voted’ for best picture, special effects, acting, etc.  It was a hit!

Insight

Give insight.  Create ongoing opportunities for learning, for discovery. 

Example: Do you know how you and your team members are motivated? Take this quick survey to find out and then discuss it at your next team meeting.  Voile!  Some new insight.

Connection

Create a sense of connection and community so collaboration can unfold.

Example: Use simple online collaboration tools to create connections.  Here’s an example of what wellness means to people.  Feel free to add your own and share it with your team.

There you have it.  A remarkably straight path from eww to E.P.I.C. through elevating, taking pride, encouraging insight, and connecting.

The next time you notice you and/or your team are flailing and foundering, be sure to use these four simple steps to revive and rehabilitate.

Now go on and learn, laugh and lead

Learn

• Take my quick motivation survey to find out what motivates you and/or add your own vision of wellness to this padlet board.

Smile

• The next time you’re climbing the walls, don’t get your back up like this unusual cat (who’s also obsessed with an almond)

Lead

• Share the motivation survey and/or padlet with your team and discuss them at your next team meeting.  Voile!  Some new insight and connection.

P.S. Join my free Learning and Development Roundtable on “Eight skills for communicating with confidence and clarity and without consternation.” Take action now –> Join the mailing list to receive invitations to the monthly meetings, and get access to all the meeting resources (including recordings of the Learning and Development Roundtables in case you can’t make it).  Get more information on this month’s roundtable and  RSVP for the September 24th workshop..