“My primary goal is to improve how teams talk about the tough stuff—dynamics, experiences, challenges—to strengthen teamwork and problem-solving.
The Cohesive Team Deck (CTD), our insight deck, builds skill for these crucial conversations.”
07/22/2024
Ditch the Posters: It's Time to Practice What We Value Have you ever gathered your team to discuss your top values and found yourselves echoing terms like “open communication” or “transparency”? These phrases sound impressive, and it’s all too easy to nod in agreement, maybe even create some catchy posters, only to see those principles shelved...
Wisdom is timeless!
05/20/2024
Are you a team manager who feels drained at work? Does it seem like your team is lacking energy and falling behind? It's a common issue. Sometimes all you need is to reignite that spark within your team. The Cohesive Team Deck can help by connecting you to what matters most to the people on your team.
If your team members appear like this following routine meetings, you’ve come to the right place. At NLH, our primary goal is to equip teams to tackle the awkward stuff that gets in the way of team cohesion, including unproductive meetings that drain the life from the team. Join our mailing list for suggestions.
Done DiSC, Now What?
I don’t fool my clients into believing that change is easy because I know from personal experience that it isn’t. Speaking up in front of your teammates can be just as difficult as leaving the house you lived in for 10 years. Both involve leaving a piece of you behind. No, change isn’t easy. In 2023, I found myself on the initiating and the receiving end of big life changes. Doesn’t matter what end you’re on. Sometimes life just wants us to surrender, breathe, and then figure out how best to grow forward.
We developed a unique activity called "trust pong" for the leadership team of a fast-paced, high-performing unit. This creative twist on building essential trust was inspired by Stephen Covey's insight from The Speed of Trust: "it’s the one thing that changes everything." Trust isn’t just about feelings; it's rooted in observable and measurable behaviors. During our game, each cup represented a high-trust behavior—land a ball in it, and you had to demonstrate that behavior right then and there. It's about showing vulnerability without fear of backfire, proving to your teammates that you're all in this together.
After the game, the leadership team decided on which trust behaviors to prioritize to meet their strategic goals. The entire team then got a chance to review, challenge, and ultimately commit to these behaviors. Who would have thought a game of pong could lead to such a polite outcome?
💬 What's one high-trust behavior you believe is crucial for team success?
05/12/2024
Friday’s team event was a reminder of why I love what I do. It’s about those moments when a team decides, ‘Let’s do this better, together.’ It's like finding gold for managers. If your team feels a bit off-track, drop me a message. A little reset could be the nudge your team needs to start moving towards something great.