We may be returning to something of a more normal working life, but there is still a lot of change ahead of us and we face continuing challenges both in our day to day work and leading our teams.

Some of our greatest challenges exist around communication - with teams that may be split between being able to meet in person and those working remotely, communicating with your team where there may be uncertainty and the lack of creative thinking that often can occur in team meetings where you can quickly get ‘group think’.

Joining Rachel this week are not one, but three guests - her ‘go-to’ gang, or as she describes them - her ‘wise guys’!

We talk about how we and our teams have responded during the different stages of the crisis and reflect on what this has taught us. 

Ultimately, the key to looking out for and after your teams is to communicate, communicate, communicate. 

Our top tips are:

• Find new and creative ways to communicate.
• Remember to look forwards, not just review the past.
• Informal chats for mentoring can be transformative, whether you lead that person or not.
• Run a Stop Start Continue on your remote working strategy.

It’s really important to look after yourself too, don’t discount the value in finding your own mentor. Your team is likely to have some great problem solvers, reach out to them when you need inspiration. And finally, remember that it won’t be like this forever - even if at times we feel stuck and can’t see an end to this.

And if you’d like to join our BRAND NEW membership for busy leaders who want to get productive and thriving teams in the new ways of working then check out the Resilient Team Academy.  

We’ll give you all the tools and resources you need to have transformative conversations, run better meetings, and use a simple coaching approach to empower your people. You’ll receive the Shapes Toolkit Core training and all the material will be delivered direct to your inbox in short, bitesize chunks. We’re only open to new members until 22nd Sept so you need to be quick!  

Useful Tools and Resources:

Sign up here to receive a link to the CPD form downloads for each podcast which you can use for reflection and to submit for your appraisal. https://www.shapestoolkit.com/podcast-CPD-forms

Looking for resilience training for your team, your organisation or your CCG or GP Training Hub? Find out more about her online and face to face courses for doctors and other professionals on surviving and thriving at work.  

Get the COVID Team Wellbeing Toolkit which includes instructions on how to run a team check in chat here 

For more episodes of You are not a frog, check out our website https://youarenotafrog.com/

Sign up to our mailing list here for loads of useful resources about thriving at work https://www.shapestoolkit.com/free-team-wellbeing-toolkit

You can also join the Shapes Collective Facebook group where we chat about the hot topics and regularly post interesting articles

24 hour support for NHS staff: Call 0300 131 7000 between 7am and 11pm or text FRONTLINE to 85258 24/7.

BMA Wellbeing Service

The NHS Practitioner Health Programme 

Mentioned in this episode:

FrogFest Virtual – 28th November 2024

Medics’ Money GP Partnership Course