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"Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress, and working together is success."~ Henry Ford

   Kimberly Douglas, SPHR, CPF     

  

Over the past three months, I have been asked several times to either facilitate a new leader assimilation process or to share my perspective on what makes for an effective transition to new leadership. 

 

Below are my top 3 recommendations for improving upon this well-known process to jump start a new leader to success sooner...
  • Create a shared understanding of what makes a high performance team.  It is important for the leader to share their expectations for how this team should function. Many leaders I work with have embraced Patrick Lencioni's model for team effectiveness. At the first meeting, introduce the model. Then, identify specific actions to take over the next 90 days to improve the team. At the end of that period, assess the team's progress using Lencioni's confidential online team assessment.

 

  • Make learning a two-way street.  Instead of only focusing on the new leader, I recommend the assimilation process involve mutual learning.  I use an assessment called the Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument.  It 's a great way for the members of the team to learn their own and each other's way of thinking and communicating, as well as how they shift when under pressure.  In addition, the team learns its strengths and blind spots and how to address those to achieve better results in the future.

 

  • Develop a clear team role, vision for success, goals, and action plan.   Discuss and reach agreement on the role of this team - how does it contribute to achieving the organization's overall goals? Given that role, what does success for this team look like 12 months out and how can we measure it?  Now, develop a concrete action plan with major milestones, accountabilities, and due dates.  Agree on a process for monitoring progress and course correcting.  And don't forget to celebrate your team's successes!  
Do you have a new leader starting soon?  Want to jump start their success?

If you would like to learn more about FireFly's unique approach to New Leader Assimilation, contact Kimberly Douglas today via email or call 770-989-7030 to discuss ways she can help you ensure the success of your new leader.  

  

Click here for an overview of FireFly Facilitation's 2015 offerings.