What do you do if your team is lacking a positive culture despite your efforts as a facilitator?

As a team facilitator, you're tasked with nurturing a positive culture, but what if your efforts aren't bearing fruit? It's a common challenge that requires a blend of emotional intelligence, strategic thinking, and patience. Understanding that culture is the collective behavior of the team influenced by shared beliefs and attitudes, it's important to identify where disconnects are occurring. This article will guide you through steps to take when you find your team's culture isn't as positive as you'd like, despite your best efforts.

1 Assess Honestly

An honest assessment is the first step in addressing a lack of positive culture. You need to take a step back and evaluate the current state of your team's dynamics. This involves observing interactions, soliciting feedback, and reflecting on the team's performance. Look for patterns that suggest where the culture may be faltering. Is there a lack of trust, poor communication, or misaligned values? Recognizing these issues is crucial for setting a clear direction for improvement.

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Emily Granholm

Senior Human Resources & People Operations Leader | Solution-Oriented & Design-Thinking Strategist | Executive Leadership Coach | Change Agent & Enthusiast Optimizing Best Practices to Align Organizations & People.
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Throughout my career, I’ve noticed, if you’re a skilled facilitator, you will be able to take a step back and objectively analyze where there is misalignment. Is the root of the issue ineffective communication or a lack of trust? Is it general apathy and disengagement? If so why? Ask open ended and non-judgmental questions and observe how your team interacts with each other. Most importantly, observe yourself and your engagement with your team. Ask for feedback and show follow through with reasonable suggestions or ideas demonstrate their input is valued. People need to be shown that they matter and that what they think and say is always taken into consideration.

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2 Open Dialogue

Creating an open dialogue is essential for understanding the root causes of a negative team culture. Encourage team members to share their perspectives in a safe environment. This can be done through one-on-one conversations or group discussions. Listen actively to their concerns and experiences. By doing so, you'll not only gain valuable insights but also show that you value their input, which can foster a sense of belonging and respect among the team.

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3 Set Expectations

Once issues have been identified, it's time to set clear expectations for behavior and interactions within the team. Define what a positive culture looks like for your team and establish norms that support this vision. These should be actionable and observable behaviors that everyone agrees to adhere to. Communicate these expectations consistently and ensure that they are integrated into daily practices.

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4 Lead by Example

As a facilitator, you must lead by example to instill a positive culture. Demonstrate the behaviors and attitudes you expect from your team members. This means showing respect, practicing empathy, and maintaining a positive outlook even in challenging situations. Your actions will serve as a model for the team and can significantly influence the overall culture.

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5 Provide Support

Supporting your team is crucial in fostering a positive culture. This includes offering resources for personal and professional development, recognizing achievements, and providing constructive feedback. Ensure that each team member feels valued and understood. When individuals feel supported, they are more likely to contribute positively to the team's culture and dynamics.

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6 Monitor Progress

Finally, regularly monitor the progress of your team's cultural shift. This involves revisiting goals, assessing behavioral changes, and celebrating small victories. Be patient; cultural change doesn't happen overnight. Stay committed to the process and be willing to make adjustments as needed. Continuous improvement will eventually lead to the development of a positive and sustainable team culture.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What do you do if your team is lacking a positive culture despite your efforts as a facilitator?

1

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3

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5

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1 Assess Honestly

2 Open Dialogue

3 Set Expectations

4 Lead by Example

5 Provide Support

6 Monitor Progress

7 Here’s what else to consider

Team Facilitation

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What do you do if your team is lacking a positive culture despite your efforts as a facilitator?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Assess Honestly

2 Open Dialogue

3 Set Expectations

4 Lead by Example

5 Provide Support

6 Monitor Progress

7 Here’s what else to consider

Team Facilitation

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