Imagine wrapping up a sprint - your team has hustled, and delivered. But now it’s time to pause and reflect. You gather around, not just as professionals, but as a collective of individuals who’ve shared successes, faced challenges, and navigated through the highs and lows together. Picture a team, varied in roles from executives to engineers, gathering every other week, engaging in a ritual of reflection. In one of my favorite projects, this was the norm. Every sprint ended with a round-robin of reflections:
Are you wondering what makes these questions so powerful? It was the transparency and psychological safety embedded in those sessions. Everyone, regardless of their position, opened up about their experiences, learnings, and areas for improvement. The atmosphere was not of judgment but of collective growth, where every challenge was seen as an opportunity to learn and every success. It was a moment to appreciate and build upon. In this space, humility and trust were not mere words but practices. When challenges arose, the grace with which each member was treated was nothing short of admirable. Imagine a space where you can openly admit to a mistake without fear, knowing that the team views it not as a failure, but as a stepping stone to collective improvement. Inspired by this, I’ve carried the essence of those reflection sessions into every project since. Picture integrating this into your projects - a space where every voice, from the intern to the CEO, is heard, valued, and considered equally. Where news, whether it brings cheers or tears, is shared openly and constructively. Envision your team where every member feels seen, heard, and valued. Where transparency isn’t just a value stated on your website but is lived, experienced, and cherished by every member. It’s not just about managing projects efficiently but about building a culture that stands on the pillars of trust, openness, and collective growth. Have you experienced the power of transparent reflections in your team? How do you ensure that every voice is heard and valued? |
Small, impactful pieces of wisdom that give you a jolt of inspiration in your morning
Daily Espresso Shot A specialty blend of startup wisdom Or let's not reinvent the wheel. But what if you want to improve the wheel? Companies exist with a mission focused on improving the wheel. It could be a cheaper wheel to make it accessible to more customers. It could be a lighter wheel with improved aerodynamics for fuel efficiency. It could be a high-performance wheel to use for racing or motorsports. It could be a luxury wheel made from rare materials. You could make custom wheels on...
Daily Espresso Shot A specialty blend of startup wisdom If you're not embarrassed by the first version of your product, you've launched too late. I've been thinking a lot about this quote. I hear and read it often in the startup communities. I think about the countless product ideas I've worked on that never reached the market. Getting to the market with a new product or service can be challenging for many reasons. Over these last several weeks, fear had been holding me back from going live...
Daily Espresso Shot A specialty blend of startup wisdom “When one door closes, another opens.” I took an unplanned and unannounced hiatus from managing a daily newsletter. The break from the daily exercise brought perspective. It helps that major life changes have sparked a fire to start writing again. Since it has been a while since I last wrote- where do I begin? Since my last email, I have departed from my former employer. Due to personal circumstances, the CEO had to close the doors. In...