IGNORE REFLECTORS IN A TEAM

Teams are made up of various personalities and skillsets and even though we know that diversity in teams results in a broader depth of ideas and solutions we still seem to overlook the fact that some team members require time to reflect.

The traditional team setting seems to champion the "On The Spot" thinkers, the people who raise their hands and have the ability to discuss in the moment. People with this skill set seem to progress easier within organisations and possibly are afforded more opportunities than their reflective counterparts.

I personally love brainstorming and on the spot thinking and problem solving, I get energy from this style and setup in a meeting and have seen it work to my strengths in the past. As a team member this is usually the part I play in the team and I see it as an important aspect for a strong team dynamic, but it cannot be the only part.

The traditional team setting seems to champion the "On The Spot" Thinkers, the people who raise their hands and have the ability to discuss in the moment.

We need the challengers, we need the detailed orientated and we need the reflectors in a team who work best having thought through on the topic at hand. If we recognise the need for the reflectors perspective, then as leaders we must provide a space to ensure that EVERYONE can perform at their best to deliver the best outcomes for the whole TEAM.

I have been contacted by organisations looking for me to work with team members who are "not speaking up" in meetings or who are described as "too quiet". I have personally done a lot of work in this area with 1:1 clients on Personal Brand and how we show up with great results.

Although there is more work to do as leaders in how we setup meetings and group sessions to maximise team performance from the whole team not some of the team. My experience to date has highlighted that most team meetings are not setup to take the reflectors into consideration and as a result a lot of great ideas simply go unnoticed.

How can team coaching help?

• Team coaches are trained to hear and see everyone in the room
• Team coaches are trained to ensure everyone has a voice
• Team coaches hear and see what is not being said
• Team coaches observe behaviours and can feed back what they see
• Team coaches can help with the process of better team meetings
• Team coaches can help with better Team Communication, Collaboration, Engagement
• Team coaches can help empower so all voices are heard

Team coaches work with teams to help the Team understand everyone's role in the team and to better understand that effective teams are not about individuals but instead the collective.

What are you doing to ensure all voices are heard in your organisation? what are you doing to ensure the the best ideas come through in your meetings?

Are you a leader who would like to discuss how you lead?

Are you an organisation who would like to discuss how your team can be more effective?

Are you someone who is not being heard in your meeting or organisation

If the above sounds like you then reach out for a chat.

As leaders we have a responsibility to our team to create a space for all voices, as team members we have a responsibility to the team as a whole to hear all ideas and as individuals we have a responsibility to ourselves to be heard.

Join the conversation, would love to hear your thoughts.

About the Author

Kate Rooney is The Founder Of The OnLegs agency.??Founded in 2019, Kate created The OnLegs Agency after 20+ years developing and leading teams.

?Kates passion for Coaching + Mentoring meant The OnLegs Agency was a natural progression and a true "Follow Your Arrow" moment.

Kates work in The OnLegs Agency enables her to work with Clients across Team, Group and 1:1 settings.

Recognised by her signature High Energy Style & ability to "Hear what is not being said" makes Kate the type of coach that everyone should work with at east once in their lives.

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