Team Dynamics – Stop Wasting Energy

Preparing for the Silly Season: Reclaim Your Time & Energy!

It’s that time of year when we need to find huge reserves of energy, and the burning question is; what’s currently eating up your time and headspace?

Right now, we know we need to focus on making the most of this peak trading season, but what’s hampering our efforts? What do we need to stop doing to enable us to shift our focus?

I run a lot of workshops and coaching sessions, and the number one challenge hospitality leaders talk about is a lack of time. But when we dig a little deeper, we uncover the root cause is often about dealing with energy-sapping team dynamics. Let me share some examples I’ve seen:

1. There’s always that one (or two) toxic team members, and we seem to be constantly putting out fires they’ve started. Sometimes, it’s easier to just smooth things over rather than tackle the issue head-on. But is it really easier in the long run?
2. Then there’s favouritism – we are all guilty of this, I’m sure. Where there are rules for some but not for others. It’s usually the old hands, the most experienced who know the ropes and keep the place humming along, and who sometimes get to bend the rules. They’re considered the ‘backbone’ of the business, so we tend to let them get away with stuff. But at what cost?
3. And then there is the lack of accountability. Processes not followed, tasks poorly executed – it all just creates more work. But, often we avoid the tough conversations and find workarounds instead. But are we really solving anything?
4. What about our need to control.  How many times have you muttered the phrase “if you want a job done right……..” We think it’s easier to do the job ourselves than spend the extra time it takes to guide, coach and support. Am I right?

 When I ask clients why these problems persist in their business, the first answer is always, “I don’t have time to deal with it.” But dig a little deeper and we find the driving force is fear. Fear that if we push too hard, these ‘backbone’ team members might walk and leave us seriously undermanned.

 But here’s what I’ve learned over the years: employees actually thrive when there’s accountability and equity. They want to be in a place where differences are embraced and honest conversations are the norm. I wrote about this in my blog, “Are we creating rockstars or forming a legendary band?” It’s all about not letting contempt fester in our workplaces, actively promoting a collaborative, equitable culture, and focusing on building our teams’ collective strength.

 And guess what? If you do this right, you’ll get that precious time back to focus on the things that give you energy and bring you joy.

The key to acheiving this is by having a clearly defined set of values and behaviours that align with these values. It’s not enough to just have some nice-sounding words plastered on the wall. We need to live and breathe these values every single day.

Think about it. If your team knows exactly what your business stands for, and can see those values in action through your behaviours and decisions, it creates a sort of compass. It guides everyone in the right direction, especially when things get hectic (like during the silly season).

One of my favourite values is ‘courage’. It’s a powerful one, isn’t it? But what does courage look like in practice in our workplaces? It might mean having the courage to do the right thing, even when it’s tough. Like addressing that toxic behaviour head-on instead of sweeping it under the carpet. Or it could be about standing up for what’s right, even if you’re standing alone – maybe calling out favouritism when you see it.

Courage can also mean accepting that you might not have all the answers. It’s about being vulnerable enough to ask for help or admit when you’ve made a mistake. And let’s not forget about the courage it takes to embrace the unknown or face difficulties head-on. It could mean trying new strategies to attract new customers or having those tough conversations about accountability.

When your team sees these acts of courage in action, it creates a culture where everyone feels empowered to step up, speak out, and take risks. It makes those tough conversations easier because you’re not just enforcing rules – you’re embodying a shared value of courage.

And here’s the thing: if you lose some team members because they don’t like the courageous culture you’re creating, trust me, you and your business will be better off for it in the long run. Because the team members who stay – and the new ones you’ll attract – will be the kind of people who thrive in an environment of courage, accountability, and mutual respect.

So, as we gear up for the silly season, maybe it’s time we all took a step back. Let’s look at what’s really sucking up our time and energy. Let’s have those tough conversations, enforce those standards equally, and define our values. It might feel daunting now, but I promise you it will pay off in the long run.

If you need a place to start, my Thrive Sessions are a great jumping off point! Reach out for a chat.