In this session we spent more time chatting about Radical Candour and also introduced the idea of TERA.
Tribe: “The brain is asking, ‘Are you with me, or are you against me’?”
A sense of belonging is one of the fundamental human requirements. Do your team members really feel part of the group? Research suggests that some useful strategies to increase your T Quotient are sitting or standing at the same level, a light, reassuring (and appropriate!) touch on the arm and language that moves away from “I” and toward “we.”
Expectation: “The brain is figuring out, ‘Do I know the future or don’t I’?”
Before a professional discussion or meeting, particularly if it involves giving or receiving feedback, it’s likely that some of your colleagues may have fears or be anxious or even confused about the point of the discussion. For any discussion to be worthwhile it’s important to alleviate these as much as possible.
When communicating expectations with a colleague or co-teacher, the more transparent the better as clarity of intention helps both parties prepare in a more productive fashion for the discussion.
Rank: “Are you more important or less important than I am?”
Rank in organisations is not determined solely by job title or position. Indeed rank can be perceived based on factors such as competency or social capital.
Autonomy: “Do I get a say or don’t I?”
In order to promote a sense of autonomy and agency consider using the following questions:
- What are you hoping to get out of this meeting?
- What is the real challenge for you here?
- If you could design a project to address what we’re talking about, what would you do?
- How and when would you like to receive your feedback?
Choice and Voice are essential aspects of helping your colleagues to thrive. Do your colleagues feel empowered to make choices about their work? Or are most decisions made by leaders? Might it be possible to increase a sense of give and take?