Why hello there !

Gosh the end of summer & transition into fall got me out of habit in sending out emails.

And you know what happens when we get out of the habit of something?

It takes that much longer to reengage that habit.

That's definitely something that happened to me.

Thinking like:

• I can do it tomorrow
• Oh I don't have time today
• I don't have anything particular to say
• This other thing is more urgent / important and I can get to this later

Then weeks go by...

Well, I'm back here now and writing to you.

Where have you fallen off important habits for yourself or your team like I described above?

The fact is: our workplaces aren't wired or shaped around the best leadership, team, or culture habits.

So any intentional things that we want to be or do have to come from inside of us.

That can make it feel so hard to remember the important things.

We have to block and tackle our schedules to make the time for the important touch points with our teams.

This time of year is extra ripe for that. Budget season.

You're looking at all of this data about your team, their performance, the work completed, the revenues, costs, and so much more.

When faced with all of these numbers, these conversations become so removed from the people and individuals represented by that data.

We get blinded by the idea of "it's just a business decision" and feeling that it can justify decisions that hurt people (think layoffs, not allocating resources like systems / space, delaying promotions, choosing cheaper & less ethical options, reducing benefits, increasing prices, etc).

Consider this email your reminder.

Because our broader world / society / work culture is going to keep telling you that other things are more important than people and relationships.

You wouldn't be reading this if you actually believed in money or success at all costs.

You're like me and you want to continually invest in your people, your team, and being a great leader.

I've realized that's why I'm here. To help you remember.

And me! No one is perfect. Putting people first is a practice. It's a habit we all hope to cultivate and model for others.

In your work conversations where you're faced with all these numbers: take a moment to breathe deep, and think of the people behind the numbers.

One moment at a time we will be that change we want to see in our organizations.

And remember that at the end of the day, all you can control is yourself. You can influence others, but you can't control them.

You have the most control in your leadership and how you engage with your team.

So what is something you can do with your team to make a difference in the way they feel at work?

If you're not sure where to start, take the What's My Team Health Score? Quiz to get some ideas of where your team needs support. You can book a free call after to review your results in detail and get you more support.

Facing Budget meetings? Check out these blog articles:

• Founders Beware: Think Twice Before Cutting These Costs
• Your People & Culture Budget

Needing some general inspiration to be the leader you want to be? Listen to these videos & podcast episodes:

• No Half Cakes Podcast: Integrating Joy, Self-Awareness, and Leadership in Modern Work Culture
• Panel Discussion: The Dangers of Founder Mode
• Building Blocks Podcast: How Healthy is Your Team?

Let me know how else I can help you stay grounded in that intentional, deliberate action that is people first.

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Team Workshop Openings

Teams are the cornerstone of every organization. 

They are how we get things done, and what holds us back. 

Like family, most teams are dysfunctional, catty, and poor communicators.

You know you need to invest in your team, and you even have a budget!

But is another happy hour really going to move the needle?

Here's the results from even a single team workshop with me:

80% feel more supported and connected

87% feel more empathy towards their team

93% feel valued by their company

100% are glad they work for their company

Say goodbye to cookie cutter training or team building. With my workshops, you're getting tailored, interactive sessions designed to build skills and get results.

Check out the workshop offerings here -- or book time to chat with me about your team's needs.

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Thanks for reading! And stay tuned for more tips, resources, and more.

Happy Teams Get Happy Results.

Best,

Katie

www.mclaughlinmethod.com

What's My Team Health Score?