The First 5% Method For Effective Team Meetings

In this edition of Elite Team Tactics:

• One quick win: to dissolve any conflict

• One proven system: to improve meetings immeasurably

• One to watch: with Tottenham’s new manager and his no.1 rule for hiring

• One for you: to become fitter than you ever imagined in 2 hours per week

• One million dollar question: to reset your inner voice

• Ones we recommend: the 14 attributes of high performers

1. A METHOD TO DISSOLVE TEAM CONFLICT

Elite teams will often experience conflict.

This can be a sign of a healthy, dynamic group rather than a dysfunctional one.

Teams that perform at a high level are usually deeply committed to excellence and achieving their goals. This commitment can lead to conflicts about the best methods to achieve these goals.

The world’s best teams don’t have all the answers, they simply ask the right questions.

A meta-analysis published by the Journal of Applied Psychology has shown that task-related conflict (conflict about the work being done) can enhance creativity, problem-solving, and decision-making within teams.

However, relationship conflict can be harmful to team cohesion and performance so it’s vital for you as a leader to distinguish between the two types of conflict.

This classic from “The Apprentice” shows the importance of managing relationship conflict in high-pressure situations. Let us know who you think is the true leader… 🤔

If you or a member of your team find yourself in a relationship conflict with someone, try one simple method 👇

Give them a genuine compliment.

At its worst, it'll force you to see some good in them.

At its best, it'll open the door for resolution.

2. THE 5% CONCEPT TO IMPROVE ANY TEAM MEETINGS

The first 5% of any meeting is critical.

It is where first impressions are formed, psychological safety is created and it sets the tone, direction, pace and expectations of others in the group.

You are preparing people mentally and physically for whatever is coming next.

So how do the best in the world do it?

Check out this short clip from the new All Blacks coach, Scott Robertson, who delivered the magic in his first speech to the team 👇

Here are 5 components of his speech that you can steal for your next big team meeting:

1. Define the purpose of the meeting and your role in their development

2. Find a positive to compliment

3. Create a safe space for the team to ask for help

4. Set the expected behaviours of the group

5. Use questions to give ownership to each individual so they know how they can be successful in this team

The first 5% concept is even more important in remote work as we’re toggling between different meetings, tasks and teams.

Deliver in the first 5% of a meeting, and you will significantly improve the outcomes from your team.

3. HOW ELITE PREMIER LEAGUE MANAGERS THINK ABOUT CULTURE

The new Tottenham Hotspur manager (Big Ange) has only been in the job since last summer but has already transformed the culture at the club.

The results on the pitch speak for themself; Tottenham are now firmly in the race to get back into Champions League next season.

So we were interested to dig deeper into his mindset around team performance and how he builds winning cultures.

Check out this fascinating clip from him below 👇

@tntsports

Ange Postecoglou explains why culture means 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐘𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆 under his management at Spurs 💯 #BetweenTheLines #angepostecoglou #postecoglou #spu... See more

“When recruiting, I will always forsake the quality of a player for the right character.”

He has walked away from signing players if their character is not aligned with his team philosophy.

The second point he makes in the video clip is to ensure the reason they are joining is to play for the club; not for the money, or the position, or the prestige.

Make sure new hires want to join your team for the right reasons!

Main takeaway:

When you are adding new team members, use a method to analyse their character traits as well as their ability to do the job.

This will save you hundreds of hours and thousands of pounds in the long run!

If you are loving Big Ange too and want a little bit more like us…

Click here for a great piece from the Athletic about how he makes language his “most effective weapon” when building the team culture.

4. THE PARETO PRINCIPLE FOR YOUR HEALTH

Struggling to maintain your fitness, health and strength on top of your work?

The less time you have to work on it, the more efficient you need to be.

Don't major in the minors - apply the Pareto principle:

80% of your results come from 20% of what you do.

Here are 3 areas that are guaranteed to improve your mental and physical health 👇

1. Sleep 7-9 hours every night 😴 (for any parents out there, this may seem like a wild, distant dream - fear not, we used Judy from Babywinkz and both our toddlers now sleep for 11+ hours per night)

2. Drink 3 litres of water and eat 3 meals a day containing a protein source and fruit or veg 🍽️

3. Perform 3× 30-45 minute workouts a week (10 min warm up > 15-30 min high intensity with good technique > 5 min cooldown) 🏋️

If you are on the road or away from your normal gym routine, Anna Engelschall’s YouTube channel has some awesome workouts that you can do in a hotel room without equipment 👇

Complete the trifecta above and we GUARANTEE you'll be in better shape and health than 90% of people who train 6 times a week, track their sleep cycles and intermittent fast.

Don't confuse simple for ineffective.

5. REFRAMING YOUR INNER DIALOGUE FOR SUCCESS

This section is inspired by how powerful the questions are in every James Clear email.

So every week, we will ask YOU a question to inspire a thought, change or idea in you, your team or your leadership style.

This statement from Julie showcases the power of questions and the impact they have on our inner narrative.

The nature of our internal conversations can directly affect our emotional state. Optimistic and encouraging self-talk can boost our mood, reduce stress, and enhance overall happiness.

On the other hand, a critical and pessimistic inner voice can lead to feelings of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem as Connor McGregor highlights below:

@reallevymedia

Conor McGregor -"Little Defeats Instead Of Wins" Don't Let Your Mind Play Games On You Take Control Of Your Own Mind, Stick To Your Path ... See more

The framing of a question can make all the difference in how we condition our inner dialogue.

Look at the impact of framing the same question in two different ways ⬇️

Be deliberate in the questions you ask yourself and your team.

What question will have the biggest impact on your team’s inner self-talk this week?

6. ONES WE RECOMMEND

Here are some golden nuggets worth reading from around the web:

• A study of the 14 attributes of the world’s greatest athletes from Olympian David Hemery (LINK)

• Actionable methods to celebrate the small wins in your team when budgets are tight (LINK)

• Harvard Business Review advice on how entrepreneurs can lead when disrupting an industry (LINK)

• 9 Future of work trends for 2024 (LINK)

• 3 questions every leader must ask about their company in 2024 (LINK)