The reward of teamwork in a troublesome 12 months
A new Xfinity commercial that I saw recently caught on in many ways. Entitled "The Greatest Gift," it's a fun but true reflection of the crazy and busy year 2020 so many of us had. Santa Claus – "the boss" – explains via video conference with his team of elves that the old ways of doing things must change dramatically. Santa then announces that he personally “has no more ideas” and asks the team to “rethink our entire approach” – and do so in a short time.
In a dramatic way, the elves find their way to a creative solution by teaming up with a determined and selfless approach – emphasizing teamwork and togetherness. As I watched the commercial, I kept thinking that this group of fictional elves had the same dedication and drive that I have embraced from so many of our clients this year. Even in the face of unprecedented changes and tremendous opportunities, I saw many leaders and teams like never before.
A great lesson for leaders and communicators
The myriad of adjustments to the business world this year are a reminder that conventional thinking has really been put to the test. And as difficult as 2020 was, it brought out the best for many people. It has made many of us more creative, resilient, and willing to go the extra mile to find solutions to complex problems. Through all of this, there is also a great lesson for leaders and communicators. We can and should constantly find new ways to reach and connect with teams, no matter who they are or where they work. In some cases, it means ditching some of the old methods and "rethinking our entire approach," just like Santa's resourceful elves in holiday advertising.
As you reflect on your own 2020 communication achievements and lessons learned and the goals you have for the New Year, the Grossman Group has many helpful resources to consult. A good place to start is with our newly released eBook. ReflectImagine and restart your internal communication plan about the pandemic. One of the tools released in the eBook is a new model we developed to guide executives through a revision of the communication plan. The model is designed to help executives figure out what they have learned from the past year – what worked, what didn't, what is worth keeping, and what the company will need in the future. From there, executives can envision what's possible and create the ideal approach to communication with an actionable plan.
This is our gift to you this holiday season, a time of unprecedented change that I believe offers plenty of opportunity for innovation, inspired teamwork and greatness.
What is one positive change that you have experienced despite the many challenges your company faced in 2020, and how has this made your team more effective?
– –David Grossman
Make sure your approach to communication meets the needs of employees and your company today by reflecting, reinterpreting, and restarting your internal communication plan using the Pandemic eBook. Click the image below to get your free copy.
