USE THIS EXERCISE TO LEAD A TEAM THROUGH UNCERTAINTY – WITH COMPASSION
Melani Gordon
August 6, 2024
If you feel overwhelmed and are swimming in uncertainty, you’re not alone.
Even though we’ve already weathered a difficult year in the U.S., the future still looks hazy. And the possibility of more chaos can weigh heavily on our minds.
Both business owners and employees feel the burden of the unknown. Especially if you lead a team as a founder, entrepreneur, or manager, compassion is crucial right now – and it’s a value we can all continue to prioritize.
The word “compassion” has “compass” already baked into it. No matter who you are, as you lead others during this time, we encourage you to cultivate compassion for others’ situations. Compassion amidst uncertainty, as you navigate uncharted waters, creates powerful leadership – and can make tangible changes in others’ lives.
For the CEOs, CTOs, co-founders, and other managerial roles: Yes, your employees are looking to you for answers. Over the last year, you’ve probably been asked the unexpected, perhaps a question about health/safety or for reassurance that a job won’t disappear.
None of us have been through these circumstances before, and approaching each day – and meeting – with compassion, transparency, and a proactive desire to help others, we can all acquire the skills of a good manager.
There’s an easy exercise that:
builds compassion
encourages mindfulness
helps you meet your team’s needs
You can use the exercise outside of work too – continue on to learn how.
This Exercise Is For Everyone
Compassionate leadership is something we can all engage in – whether or not we’re managing employees. Simply practicing transparency and authenticity, as you build trust with your teammates, can help lead an organization forward.
Solopreneurs also face new challenges, from increased isolation to making tough financial decisions on their own. We encourage you to reach out to any solopreneurs you know, asking how they’re doing, holding space for them to share, and offering your emotional support.
You can do the following exercise with family or friends too – it’s designed for everyone. (Even kids might enjoy it while eating breakfast or as you sit down to the dinner table.)
When starting a video call, meal, hike, or other activity together, take a moment to check in and follow the exercise below. This can be especially helpful for solopreneurs, who don’t have co-workers to touch base with.
Implementing This Exercise – As A Founder Or Family Member
Founders, business owners, and anyone leading a team can implement the following exercise. Of course, anyone in a family, relationship, or friendship can also bring this exercise to the table.
When you show up for a meeting (or meal), you start with this exercise, so everyone has space to express their situation and their needs.
Instead of becoming a manager or CEO who’s a talking head in a meeting, you connect with your employees on an emotional level. As you share more personal aspects of yourself (within appropriate work boundaries – this is key), you can demonstrate authentic leadership in the workplace, leading by example.
...And we’ve found that a personal connection truly helps you cooperate and collaborate better.
Whether you’re using this check-in exercise at home or on Zoom, it’s important to listen closely to people’s answers – and note what needs are revealed. Jot down a few words on a post-it during your call, if need be, to follow up with this person one-on-one. That way, you can connect and see how you can support them.
The Exercise: Red-Yellow-Green Check-In
Here it is…
...the exercise you’ve been waiting for!
As you kick off that next internal meeting, or break open those takeout containers on your dinner table, take a moment to pause.
Start with your Red-Yellow-Green Check-in.
THE STEPS:
Pause, and let everyone consider how they’re feeling today.
Everyone silently chooses their level for that day, gauging how present they feel that day, and their level of general well-being: Red, Yellow, or Green.
One at a time, everyone shares their level, and why they’re feeling that way. Typically, the CEO goes last. (On our team, we switch up the order of who shares, and we let volunteers go first.)
If you’re a manager, follow up with individuals who you may be able to support, as appropriate.
THE LEVELS:
Red = Feeling checked out, shutting down a bit, and/or anxious. Something negative may have happened 5 minutes before this meeting, or the week before, and it’s hard to feel present right now.
Yellow = Somewhat present, and feeling in the middle. Your mind is weighed down with something, yet that burden isn’t totally taking you out of the moment.
Green = In a good flow, and feeling like your usual self. You’re fully there for the meeting (or other activity) and ready to get going.
You can get creative with your color choice. Add a twist, such as “lime green” or “mustard yellow.” Our team really enjoys this – and it helps us tap into our state more precisely.
Your level can also land on a gradient: Maybe you’re feeling orange or yellow-green today.
Remember: This isn’t a stand-up meeting to monitor project progress (whether home- or work-related). This is a time for an emotional/headspace check-in. That’s it.
⇒ We recommend doing this exercise at least 1x/week. ⇐
AN EXAMPLE OF EACH LEVEL
Here are hypothetical examples of how people could respond:
Green Example
Today, I’m actually feeling “forest green.” Yesterday, I went on a peaceful hike through the woods, and I’m feeling clear and creative now.
Yellow Example
Overall, WFH is going well. But 10 minutes ago, I got an email saying my upcoming trip is canceled. I’d hoped it would still happen, so I’m a bit disappointed.
Red Example
Yesterday, the vet found a growth on our dog, so I’m feeling anxious since we’re waiting on the test results, and we won’t get them for another few days.
A REAL WORKPLACE EXAMPLE
Let’s explore a real-world example of how productive this exercise can be.
As last summer approached, our remote employees in San Diego were facing hot weather. During our Red-Yellow-Green Check-in, one of them expressed that he felt “Yellow” that day, sharing that he didn’t have air conditioning. Naturally, he was a little concerned about working from home and staying focused as the temperatures rose.
Because we had that time to share, we could help fix the situation.
We reached out to him individually, seeing whether we could set him up with a portable A/C unit.
Easy problem-solving.
But only if your employees have a safe space to share – and you lead by example, bringing your own vulnerability and honesty to the check-in.