Anton Guinea
Entrepreneur, Speaker, bestselling author, and founder of The Guinea Group of Companies. For over 15 years, Anton has helped leaders move their teams to become psychologically safe, physically safe and overall better versions of themselves.
One of my favourite activities as a leadership coach is to work with leaders and their teams, as part of planning sessions or strategy sessions. This week, I have facilitated two of those sessions, and they are generally full of energy and engagement.
Planning sessions (usually a half or full day long) are even better when they include team building activities and fun exercises to break the day up and to inject some excitement into the process. Of course, it is important to get an outcome from the investment in the process, and it is important that there are clear actions and outcomes.
Here is what those outcomes should include, and what they should achieve:
1. Clarity and Alignment
Planning sessions provide an opportunity for leaders to clearly communicate the objectives, goals, and vision of a project or initiative. By involving the team in the planning process, everyone gains a shared understanding of what needs to be achieved and how it will be accomplished. This alignment ensures that team members are on the same page and working towards a common goal, reducing misunderstandings and enhancing collaboration.
2. Inclusive Decision-Making
Including team members in planning sessions empowers them to contribute their insights, expertise, and diverse perspectives. When leaders involve their team in decision-making, it fosters a sense of ownership and involvement, leading to more creative solutions and innovative ideas. Additionally, team members may identify potential challenges or opportunities that leaders might have overlooked, enhancing the overall quality of the plan.
3. Increased Accountability and Commitment
When team members actively participate in planning sessions, they become more invested in the success of the project. By contributing to the development of the plan, individuals are more likely to take ownership of their roles and responsibilities. This heightened sense of accountability leads to increased commitment and motivation, as team members feel a stronger connection to the project’s outcomes and are more likely to work diligently to achieve them.
In summary, planning sessions with teams, help leaders establish clarity and alignment, promote inclusive decision-making, and foster increased accountability and commitment among team members. These sessions contribute to a more effective execution of projects, improved communication, and a stronger sense of teamwork.
Has your leader run a planning session recently?
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I partner with leaders who are under pressure, to help them create conscious control, so that they can develop psychologically safe and high performing teams.
If you would like to work through this with me, please click here or on the image to book into my calendar.