Here is today's quick question for you...​What will we do when priorities are unclear?

Ask it when you're...

1. Forming a cross-functional team  - Even the best-managed cross-functional project teams can find themselves at a crossroads where the ‘right decision’ is unclear. It’s helpful to plan how to handle it before it arises.

2. Getting to know a new boss - Understanding each other’s default behaviours under stress will help build trust in your relationship.

3. Delegating significant new responsibilities  - When you have a team member stepping up into something new, making it clear how you’d like to handle confusion can reassure them and reduce stress.

Here is today's quick question for you...​How healthy is our team?

Ask it when you're...

1. Ready to guide your team to the next level  - Patrick Lencioni, of 5 Dysfunctions of a Team fame, suggests there are 4 traits of team health - Build Trust, Master Conflict, Achieve Commitment and Embrace Accountability. How does your team measure up?

2. Checking in on your team’s well-being - this is a great prompt to open up a conversation about health and well-being across the team. It can be used in 1-1s and in group settings too.

3. Reviewing your risk register  - This question can open the door to ensuring that burnout, stress and retention of key personnel are all included in your regular risk assessments.

Quick Question: Who needs my support?

As leaders, one of our greatest responsibilities is ensuring our team (and our colleagues) feel supported.

Try to listen for:

• Silence - Sometimes we ask a question that is just too hard for the listener to answer. That’s a good sign they might need a little extra help.

• Confusion  - If you’re receiving vague, unclear or incomplete responses, it may be a sign that they are feeling overwhelmed.

• Fast-talking—When the pace of language is unusually fast, a few well-placed questions could help slow them down and refocus their attention.

This question helps identify pivotal moments that direct our attention (and our team’s) to the things that matter most.