Transform Time With Your Team

Don't try to do less of something that's bad. Do more things that get you into Flow. Eliminate the things that don't. Succeed effortlessly.

- Rian Doris

We’ve all heard that it’s important to manage your time in order to be successful. But for knowledge workers, not all time is equal.

For knowledge workers, the “unit” of production is wildly variable, as are the deadlines for each of the sub-units leading up to a finished product. There is simply tremendous variability around the amount of effort needed to finish a knowledge product, and at the same time, there is no clear understanding or consensus between what constitutes good enough, great and world class knowledge worker output - nor what level of quality is actually needed from a business standpoint.

Both for individuals and teams, managing knowledge work and managing time can become extremely challenging. One path to resolve the challenge of modern knowledge work is to focus less on time management and more on flow management. 

As individuals, most of us have a sense when we are most productive during the day. “I’m a morning person” or “I’m a night owl” are not just interesting personality traits but indicative when someone is at their peak. For managing teams, peak flow times can be managed by setting up no call times, flexible work schedules, and synchronized days to be in office. But it’s important to have an overall strategy for managing team flow.

Here are "Ten Steps for Team Flow":

1. Shared Goals and Vision: Ensure that the entire team aligns with a clear, shared vision and specific objectives to move in the same direction seamlessly.

2. Establish Clear Roles and Responsibilities: Define explicit roles and responsibilities for each team member to minimize ambiguity and enhance accountability.

3. Optimize the Environment for Flow: Adapt physical and virtual work environments to minimize distractions and enhance focus, such as ergonomic setups, quiet zones, and productivity-enhancing tools.

4. Implement Frequent Feedback and Agile Methodologies: Use regular feedback loops and agile practices to keep the team agile, responsive, and aware of progress.

5. Encourage Skill Development and Mastery: Foster continuous learning and skill enhancement to help team members achieve mastery and confidence, crucial for entering a state of flow.

6. Recognition and Celebration of Milestones: Regularly recognize and celebrate small wins and milestones to boost morale and reinforce progress toward goals.

7. Build Trust and Open Communication: Create an environment that encourages open communication and trust, enabling team members to freely share ideas and feedback.

8. Promote Cross-Functional Collaboration: Encourage collaboration across different functions to bring diverse perspectives and expertise into projects, enhancing innovation.

9. Conduct Mindful Meetings: Organize meetings with clear agendas, specific timings, and defined objectives to ensure they are purposeful and outcome-oriented.

10. Leverage Technology for Enhanced Collaboration: Utilize collaborative technologies that support real-time communication, project management, and document sharing to keep team members connected and workflows integrated.

These ten steps provide a structured approach to creating an environment that nurtures team flow, leading to more productive, engaged, and satisfied team members. In today’s knowledge-driven world, be sure to get your team into the flow and watch your results accelerate!