In the US where I reside, a polarizing election season is behind us. But differences remain. (Okay, that’s a laughably mild way to say it! 😅 ) Right now, some feel elated, relieved, and deeply safe. Others feel grieved, anxious, and deeply unsafe. And some just don’t care.
How do you foster connection and trust when you’re leading a team of people with quite different postures on things — political or otherwise?
There are many good answers to this question. The one I want to talk about today? This:
Ask humanizing questions.
Teams often have “icebreaker” questions that begin weekly meetings. What if you ditch the “what’s your favorite flavor of ice cream?” type question, and instead, invite people to share about the stories and dreams that make them who they are?
Watch this 40 second short to see what I mean:
GO. THERE.
Be brave and try one of these icebreakers in your next team huddle:*
- “What’s a long-held dream you haven’t pursued yet, and why?”
- “When do you feel most connected to the children (or pets, or other special ones) in your life?”
- “What advice might your wise, elderly self have for you today?”
- “What’s the most beautiful sight you’ve seen in nature? How did it make you feel?”
Will people feel vulnerable? Yuup!
Will their blood pressure rise a bit more than a question about weekend plans? Yuup!
Ask anyway.
The best leaders foster connection and trust by modeling humanness and vulnerability, and inviting others to do the same.
(Yes, even when everyone knows there are massive differences between us.)
