Team conversations are more effective when there’s a safe space for open and honest communication. By creating an environment of trust, where team members feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas, teams can have more productive and meaningful discussions. Building trust and promoting vulnerability are key factors in improving the quality of team conversations, but we have to go beyond lip service and recognise when people are holding back and keeping their true thoughts hidden.

This week, Dan and Pia are joined by Chris Ertel, a strategic conversation designer and a thought leader in how teams work. He has over 27 years of experience as a strategy and innovation consultant. He specialises in facilitating creative problem-solving sessions for teams, and is part of Deloitte Greenhouse, a specialised unit that focuses on designing and delivering strategic conversations.

Three reasons to listen

• Learn how to create an environment that encourages team members to share their true thoughts and feelings during conversations
• Understand the importance of building trust within teams to facilitate open and honest communication
• Hear about the challenges teams face, along with strategies to overcome them in order to have more effective conversations

Episode highlights

• [00:07:26] Observing team dynamics
• [00:09:34] The importance of humour
• [00:11:56] Holding a space for vulnerability
• [00:14:43] The fundamentals of trust
• [00:21:27] What else is there but teams?
• [00:26:43] The four elements of teams
• [00:28:02] Team Alchemy
• [00:33:49] We all need coaching
• [00:36:46] Improving team clarity
• [00:41:52] Getting clarity on how a decision is made
• [00:44:50] Takeaways from Dan and Pia

Links

• Connect with Chris via LinkedIn
• Patrick Lencioni
• The Coach in the Operating Room – Article by Atul Gawande
• Leave us a voice note