Transform Teams to Transform the World

Content

A group of individuals who are committed to a shared mission and to each other can do extraordinary things, explained Keith Ferrazzi, Monday morning’s keynote speaker for the Association for Talent Development’s Virtual Conference.

A group of individuals who are committed to a shared mission and to each other can do extraordinary things, explained Keith Ferrazzi, Monday morning’s keynote speaker for the Association for Talent Development’s Virtual Conference.

Content

We’re in extraordinary times, and no one can crack the code of these challenges alone. In his presentation, Ferrazzi outlined how individuals can serve as leaders, even without the badge. It’s about how you show up and whether you are willing to co-elevate.

We’re in extraordinary times, and no one can crack the code of these challenges alone. In his presentation, Ferrazzi outlined how individuals can serve as leaders, even without the badge. It’s about how you show up and whether you are willing to co-elevate.

Content

Show up a half hour early

Show up a half hour early

Content

In recounting his humble roots, Ferrazzi—author of the recently released book Lead Without Authority: How the New Power of Co-Elevation Can Break Down Silos, Transform Teams, and Reinvent Collaboration —spoke about growing up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the son of an out-of-work father in the manufacturing industry and a mother who cleaned houses. He said his father didn’t feel as though he had a voice at work. It was the time when the US manufacturing industry was losing its stature in the world.

In recounting his humble roots, Ferrazzi—author of the recently released book Lead Without Authority: How the New Power of Co-Elevation Can Break Down Silos, Transform Teams, and Reinvent Collaboration—spoke about growing up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the son of an out-of-work father in the manufacturing industry and a mother who cleaned houses. He said his father didn’t feel as though he had a voice at work. It was the time when the US manufacturing industry was losing its stature in the world.

Content

Ferrazzi came to understand that worker-empowered teams—from manufacturing to customer service—could transform work through total quality management. Those on the frontlines know their jobs best and, working together with a commitment to each other, can solve the pressing problems at hand.

Ferrazzi came to understand that worker-empowered teams—from manufacturing to customer service—could transform work through total quality management. Those on the frontlines know their jobs best and, working together with a commitment to each other, can solve the pressing problems at hand.

Content

When Ferrazzi secured a job at a golf club, his father repeatedly reminded him to show up a half hour early. Because he showed up early, Ferrazzi noticed rough spots on the course and relayed that to one of the top golfers—this insight took two strokes off her score. That golfer took Ferrazzi under her wing, which led Ferrazzi to other experiences that would greatly affect his life.

When Ferrazzi secured a job at a golf club, his father repeatedly reminded him to show up a half hour early. Because he showed up early, Ferrazzi noticed rough spots on the course and relayed that to one of the top golfers—this insight took two strokes off her score. That golfer took Ferrazzi under her wing, which led Ferrazzi to other experiences that would greatly affect his life.

Content

Sketchnotes provided by See In Colors

Sketchnotes provided by See In Colors

Content

How to lead without authority

How to lead without authority

Content

To lead without authority, Ferrazzi said we all have to show up a half hour early. Even without a badge, we can use the structure of teams, infusing in teams the essence and commitment for co-development. Further, leading without authority requires these elements:

To lead without authority, Ferrazzi said we all have to show up a half hour early. Even without a badge, we can use the structure of teams, infusing in teams the essence and commitment for co-development. Further, leading without authority requires these elements:

Content

Vision. “What is it that you might want for your organization?” Ferrazzi asked Virtual Conference attendees. Organizations differ, so only each individual can answer that question. For example, how have traditional leadership competencies changed? What will informal learning look like in the remote world? What are the new people rules?

Vision. “What is it that you might want for your organization?” Ferrazzi asked Virtual Conference attendees. Organizations differ, so only each individual can answer that question. For example, how have traditional leadership competencies changed? What will informal learning look like in the remote world? What are the new people rules?

Content

Team members. Everyone must take responsibility for the relationships in their life. We all encounter individuals whom we find to be difficult.

Team members. Everyone must take responsibility for the relationships in their life. We all encounter individuals whom we find to be difficult.

Content

To lead without authority means not letting those individuals stand in our way. Rather, we must invite them onto our team. But that is easier when we have a group of team members whom we already trust and whom we know have our back.

To lead without authority means not letting those individuals stand in our way. Rather, we must invite them onto our team. But that is easier when we have a group of team members whom we already trust and whom we know have our back.

Content

Ferrazzi encouraged attendees to get rid of negative ways of thinking, such as “It’s just not my job” or acting like a victim.

Ferrazzi encouraged attendees to get rid of negative ways of thinking, such as “It’s just not my job” or acting like a victim.

Content

Co-creation. Collaborative problem solving has its own set of rules, Ferrazzi said. We have to be candid with each other. There must be bold inputs, followed by the group making a bold decision.

Co-creation. Collaborative problem solving has its own set of rules, Ferrazzi said. We have to be candid with each other. There must be bold inputs, followed by the group making a bold decision.

Content

One of the challenges is getting to the place of psychological safety that is required for team members to open up to each other. This can be especially tricky in a remote environment where we don’t naturally run into each other.

One of the challenges is getting to the place of psychological safety that is required for team members to open up to each other. This can be especially tricky in a remote environment where we don’t naturally run into each other.

Content

We have to make it purposeful, Ferrazzi pointed out. One way is an exercise he calls “sweet and sour,” in which individuals become vulnerable with each other. Teammates share what is going on in their life that is both good and not good.

We have to make it purposeful, Ferrazzi pointed out. One way is an exercise he calls “sweet and sour,” in which individuals become vulnerable with each other. Teammates share what is going on in their life that is both good and not good.

Content

For example, Ferrazzi shared a “sour” that his mother, who is asthmatic, wants to go out rather than staying apart from her friends during the COVID-19 pandemic. He’s scared for her. The “sweet,” he said, is that his new book was just released.

For example, Ferrazzi shared a “sour” that his mother, who is asthmatic, wants to go out rather than staying apart from her friends during the COVID-19 pandemic. He’s scared for her. The “sweet,” he said, is that his new book was just released.

Content

Grow. A final element of leading without authority and co-elevation is wanting to make growth a hallmark of our teams, creating a peer-to-peer network in which we support one another.

Grow. A final element of leading without authority and co-elevation is wanting to make growth a hallmark of our teams, creating a peer-to-peer network in which we support one another.

Content

Ferrazzi concluded by urging conference participants to adopt the principles of co-elevation to birth new solutions—a place where people don’t have a mindset that it’s not their role or their place to speak up; a place where individuals work fluidly together within networks to grow.

Ferrazzi concluded by urging conference participants to adopt the principles of co-elevation to birth new solutions—a place where people don’t have a mindset that it’s not their role or their place to speak up; a place where individuals work fluidly together within networks to grow.

Content

During these unprecedented times, it’s more important than ever. Ferrazzi reminded participants that they are needed—the “disruption around us can be debilitating, but the innovation could be extraordinary.”

During these unprecedented times, it’s more important than ever. Ferrazzi reminded participants that they are needed—the “disruption around us can be debilitating, but the innovation could be extraordinary.”

Content

Share your ATD Virtual Conference experience on social media. #ATDVirtualConference

Share your ATD Virtual Conference experience on social media. #ATDVirtualConference