How to handle pressure as a team

There’s a something I'd want you all to watch. It's an episode from a Netflix documentary series titled '7 Days Out,' which chronicles the week leading up to significant events. The episode I'm particularly excited to share focuses on Eleven Madison Park, showcasing how this world-renowned restaurant navigates intense challenges during their renovation reopening.

Here’s what I want you to do:

After you have watched this episode (it’s about 48 min), I want you to show it to your whole team. That’s right- order some pizza, get some notepads and pens, and turn on Netflix. I promise this will be one of the best lunch meetings you’ve ever had with your team. Why? It is a master class in understanding

• How to deal with pressure
• How to work with teams
• How to let professionals do a professional job

As I watched it, I came out with 50+ lessons you can learn from it about being a high-functioning team. When watching with your teams, encourage them to observe and note both the obvious and subtle elements that make this team exceptional.

For example, I especially loved seeing them all stay calm during the stress storm. They had tons of pressure to make sure everything got done by their deadline. These are New Yorkers so you might expect a little attitude, some raised voices, and dare I say, impatience? But there was none of that. No one yelled, no bickering, no “that’s not my job”. It’s amazing.?

This documentary serves as a powerful tool for team members who might be struggling with motivation, alignment with practice goals, or team integration. It provides a clear visual reference for professional excellence.

Additionally, it offers a masterclass in crisis leadership. You'll observe valuable techniques for managing challenging situations and knowing when to step back – particularly relevant in a medical setting where both precision and adaptability are crucial.

But don’t just watch, apply what you learn. Take 2-3 lessons and focus on those things. See how it transforms how you approach your team and how the team approaches each other.?

I would love to hear how this goes for you and your team. When you have completed my challenge, reply to this email and let me know how it went. What lessons did your team learn? What were your biggest takeaways? What 2-3 things are you going to work on next?

Dino