Debriefing can transform the way your team approaches issues and how your team members work together. It’s not just for one event; it’s a catalyst for a way of life. For those unfamiliar with debriefing, we talk more about what it is and why it’s crucial to your success here and here.
Debriefing isn’t just for one event. It’s a catalyst for a way of life.
It’s important to check in on your debriefing process every now and then. How is your team doing?
Here are a few questions to ask:
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- First and foremost, are you still debriefing often? Remember, your debrief should be a part of your regular routine and should occur immediately following the end of your team’s mission. The start and end time should always be strictly adhered to and respected by your entire team. If this isn’t happening, it may be time to re-establish some ground rules and expectations.
- Has the tone of your debriefing sessions remained consistent? The tone of your debrief is the most important, but also most difficult to achieve. Are you remaining nameless and rankless in your debriefs? Are you focusing on the performance of your team over individual issues?
- Have you done anything about your Lessons Learned? Have they made it anywhere that allows you to take action on them? Lessons Learned should be actionable, specific, and meaningful to your team. You should be able to look back over your time debriefing and see real results of these Lessons Learned.
- Look around at your team. Are they more open and honest than before implementing the debrief? Debriefing should never cause unnecessary tension or pit your team members against each other. Debriefing should encourage real open and honest communication among your team, and you should be able to see a difference in the way your team members address issues.
- Does your team look forward to your debriefing sessions? If your team dreads debriefing it may be time to rework the way you’re running them. If your debriefs aren’t structured well or aren’t given the importance they deserve, your team may not be experiencing the full benefits. Get them excited about fixing issues and becoming a stronger, better team.
Remember, debriefing is a commitment to lifelong learning and a tool for continuous improvement. It is essential to the success of your business. The mission is not complete until the Debrief has occurred. We have seen that businesses that hold debriefing as a “sacred” part of their culture thrive.
If you’re not seeing the results you had hoped for with debriefing, it may be time for team building or consulting programs. Reach out to us here if you’d like to talk about implementing these solutions for your team.
