HOW DO YOU HARNESS INNOVATION IN YOUR TEAM?

There are very few workplaces that I know of where the manager or team leader believes innovation is unwelcome. In fact, I’m not aware of any. Even in places where consistency is critical to the nature of the work, innovation is still welcome (in theory) when it comes to rethinking the process to ensure maximum efficiency. However, in practice, one of the top complaints we hear from team members, and sometimes managers or team leaders as well, is that new ideas are NOT welcome. Creativity, innovation, and true brainstorming are shut down before they can even begin.

Why does this happen?

Read More

EXPECTING THE UNEXPECTED

Can we really do that? Is it a myth? I think in life there are MANY, many times when things don’t go how we expect them to go. Sometimes, it’s because of a screw up. Sometimes, it’s because of a dropped ball. And sometimes, someone gets sick and things just aren’t meant to be.

Read More
 

THERE’S A NEW BOSS IN TOWN…

Herd dynamics are a lot like team dynamics. They are constantly shifting and changing, and unexpected things can happen when the leader leaves the team, and someone new emerges.

For the first two weeks that our herd was together, we had Dani’s sister’s horse with them as well. Mocha was definitely the herd boss. She bossed everyone around, and kept Sorrey, the other mare, away from Duke, who Mocha viewed as her own property.

When our certification program was postponed, we decided it was time to take Mocha home and give our herd a chance to really gel together. The remaining players are Duke, the big palomino gelding; Sorrey, the paint mare; George, the Appaloosa pony; and Lily, the mini mule. We were absolutely sure either Duke or Sorrey would emerge as the new leader.

Boy, were we wrong.

Read More