Resources
Episode 220: Methods for Robust Brainstorm Sessions
Brainstorming is a method of developing ideas in a group setting. It's used to solve problems, come up with new ideas, and generally explore possibilities. While it may seem like a simple task, there’s often much more than meets the eye when it comes to effective brainstorming. Working through various exercises helps you not only generate ideas but also deeply understand the situation you are looking at. This episode guide includes lists of prompts and suggested approaches and a sample brainstorm meeting agenda for boosting your brainstorming sessions.
Episode 216: Design the Optimal Team Meeting
Almost every team has had some sort of regular team meeting and yet many people complain that these team meetings are necessary, but not very meaningful. The time we spend with our colleagues is precious. Our team meetings are an opportunity to move work forward while strengthening the team. This episode guide includes an overview of the factors to consider when designing a team meeting along with examples of team meeting structures, formats, and prework to consider using as a model for your team.
Episode 212: Prepare for Vacation Time Out of the Office
While it’s supposed to be rejuvenating, taking time off can be quite stressful when you’re worried about work the whole time. Whether it’s returning to an overflowing inbox or concern for how your colleagues are getting on without you, stressing while away from the office (or worse, not taking time off!) is detrimental to your wellbeing. This episode guide includes an overview of five principles to help you effectively prepare for your time away. It also includes tips and a template for communicating tasks and responsibilities effectively to your team members so there's no confusion.
Episode 208: The Personal Instruction Manual
Most people have a general idea about how their colleagues or team members work best. You may occasionally pick up a random fact about a person's personality or work style, but it's rare to have the full picture. The result: we are frustrated by our coworkers because we don’t understand them and they don’t understand us. Instead of a traditional episode guide, this week's guide is a Personal Instruction Manual template that you and your team can use to help create your own PIMs. This includes instructions for how to create your own PIM as well as guiding questions for each of the 4 categories in a PIM.
Episode 204: How to Get and Stay Focused
We live in an age of distraction. No matter what we're doing, we are constantly at the mercy of internal and external distractions. These attention-breakers have serious consequences on our quality of work. The good news is that with our growing knowledge of the brain and improved technology, there are specific steps we can take to increase attention and improve focus. This episode guide includes the "focus matrix" along with tips and suggestions for how to focus from each of the various perspectives of the matrix.