PRACTICE IN THE WORKPLACE SERIES: PRE-GAME WARM UPS

Starting your work day is an often overlooked part of business. Employees arrive at different times, boot up their computers and begin plugging away task after task, customer after customer. Leaders spend a good majority of the early a.m. following up to email, putting out fires from the day before, and typically being a "Task Warrior." How should we transform this vital part of our business day. Here are ideas on how to practice during the start of your employee's shifts.

1. Morning (Afternoon or Night) Huddle: It takes about 5 minutes to greet your team each day, follow-up on success and opportunities from the previous day, and chart the plan for the day. You can use this time to celebrate individual contributions and success stories. Start the day with an outline of the day for a framework or reference for your team. Ask for input. Capture the ideas on a white board for follow-up.

2. Break Out Session: After your morning huddle, identify 1 or 2 employees to follow-up on opportunity areas. Ask them questions about their progress. Have the employee provide opportunities to develop a skill, or task. Input helps facilitate Output. Getting your staff involved early in the morning will strengthen the relationship for growth.

3. Be Available: Whether your shift begins in the morning, afternoon, or night. Be available during the first part of the day. Employees have things on their minds early on that might affect or impact their service or performance. If you show your staff, that you are open, willing and available, your team will present their thoughts and opinions, and then conquer the day.

And so you have it. The first 20 to 30 minutes of your shift are valuable to teach, train, motivate, and set the course for the day. If you take advantage of this time, create habits, you might only need 10 minutes after you successfully practice these opportunities.

How do you begin your day with your staff? What ideas do you have about pre-game warm ups for staff. Share your success stories here.