How do you recognize and learn from team wins and losses?

1 Recognize team wins

The first step to learn from team wins is to acknowledge and celebrate them. This means giving specific and timely feedback to your team members, highlighting their achievements, strengths, and contributions. You can also use team wins as a chance to reward your team, either with tangible incentives or with social recognition. Recognizing team wins can boost your team's confidence, satisfaction, and engagement, and reinforce a positive team culture.

3 Conduct team debriefs

The third step to learn from team wins and losses is to conduct regular team debriefs. This means creating a safe and constructive space for your team to reflect on their performance, share feedback, and identify lessons learned. You can use a simple framework like the Plus/Delta model, where you ask your team to list what went well (plus) and what can be improved (delta) in their work. Conducting team debriefs can help your team improve their communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.

4 Set SMART goals

The fourth step to learn from team wins and losses is to set SMART goals for your team. This means defining specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound objectives for your team's work, based on the insights and feedback from the previous steps. You can also use SMART goals as a way to track your team's progress, measure their results, and adjust your plans as needed. Setting SMART goals can help your team focus on their priorities, align their expectations, and achieve their desired outcomes.

5 Provide ongoing support

The fifth step to learn from team wins and losses is to provide ongoing support to your team. This means being available and accessible for your team members, offering guidance, coaching, and mentoring as needed. You can also use ongoing support as a way to foster a culture of learning and development in your team, encouraging them to seek feedback, ask questions, and pursue new opportunities. Providing ongoing support can help your team grow their skills, confidence, and potential.

6 Celebrate the journey

The sixth and final step to learn from team wins and losses is to celebrate the journey. This means acknowledging and appreciating the efforts, challenges, and achievements of your team throughout the project or organization. You can also use the journey as a way to build trust, rapport, and camaraderie in your team, sharing stories, memories, and gratitude. Celebrating the journey can help your team feel valued, connected, and inspired.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?