Busy teams spend plenty of time talking about work. But how often do they slow down to have conversations that help them grow?
Last week, I had the opportunity to facilitate the Leadership Game with a group of managers at Wright-Patt Credit Union. It was a great reminder of how valuable intentional conversations can be for personal and team growth.
If you’re unfamiliar with the Leadership Game, it’s an interactive team-building tool created by the Maxwell Leadership organization. I’ve facilitated it for over a decade with teams of various sizes and across different industries. One thing I consistently observe is this: guided conversations among peers lead to valuable insights and next steps.
Last week’s session was no different.
One of my favorite parts of facilitating this experience is getting to tee up the conversations, then sit back and watch the interactions unfold. Team members have an opportunity to share their perspectives and learn from one another in ways that rarely happen during a busy workday.
The key is intentionality.
Each card includes a prompt and an activity that lead into a conversation. A quote, question, or scenario gives participants something specific to consider and discuss.
That focus matters. Instead of hoping a meaningful conversation happens, the experience creates space for one.
Participants consider ideas they may never have thought about before. They hear how their peers see a situation. They have an opportunity to examine their own assumptions and learn something that can strengthen how they lead.
The game is simply a tool. The value comes from the conversations it makes possible.
You don’t have to participate in this particular experience to create that opportunity for your team. You can bring the same intentionality into your regular meetings.
Start with a focused question about a challenge your team is facing. Bring a leadership scenario for everyone to process together. Ask people to share what they see and how they would respond.
The key is focus and specificity. Give people something meaningful to think about, along with enough time to move beyond the first answer.
Then make room for everyone to participate.
It’s natural as a leader to do much of the talking. You have information to share, decisions to explain, and work to keep moving. But if your voice fills the meeting, you may miss valuable perspectives from the people around you.
Sometimes, one of the most useful things you can do is ask a thoughtful question and give your team time to answer. Listen with curiosity. Invite them to explain their thinking. Let them learn from one another instead of feeling responsible for providing every insight yourself.
At your next team meeting, set aside a few minutes for one intentional conversation. Choose a question that connects to something your team is experiencing, and give everyone an opportunity to contribute.
You may be surprised by what you learn when you tee up the conversation and make room for your team to speak.
Until next time, make today GREAT!
P.S. If you’d like to learn how to bring the Leadership Game experience to your organization, simply email me, and we can schedule a time to discuss the logistics and investment.
