Culture and Coffee
By Colin D Ellis
Culture and CoffeeApr 21, 2024
Projects - Plan or Perish!
Projects are the lifeblood of any organisation. They deliver on strategy, foster innovation and ensure you remain competitive, delivering for your customers. They are essential in turning organisational goals into reality, and yet we can still drop the ball when it comes to project delivery.
In this episode of Culture and Coffee, I'm explaining why planning is your project's best friend and how to do it well. I cover:
- Navigating Common Project Planning Challenges
- The Anatomy of a Project Plan
- The Impact of Effective Planning on Project Success
- Maximising Productive Time in the Workplace
- The Responsibility of Project Managers and Senior Managers
Useful links 🔗
Connect with Colin on LinkedIn
Download the Culture Whitepapers for managers and senior executives
Subscribe to the Making Great Work Happen weekly newsletter
🎙️ Check out Inside Out Culture Podcast where myself and Cath Bishop get behind the headlines of cultures making the news to extract the learnings and insights, good and bad.
TIMESTAMPS
The importance of projects (00:01:14)
Projects as unique, time-limited endeavours that create assets and drive organisational relevance and growth.
Challenges in project management (00:03:27)
Issues with insufficient investment and impatience from senior managers in project planning and execution.
The significance of planning (00:05:38)
The pivotal role of planning in project success, with statistics and examples to underscore its importance.
Components of a project plan (00:08:45)
Understanding objectives, defining scope, devising a schedule, identifying milestones, managing risks, and engaging stakeholders.
The planning stage (00:11:33)
The duration of the planning stage, its importance in project initiation, and its role in providing certainty and managing risks.
Work breakdown structure (00:15:32)
The process of decomposing project tasks, its importance in ensuring success, and the advantages of face-to-face collaboration.
Efficiency and consequences of planning (00:18:31)
The impact of effective planning on project objectives, resource utilisation, and employee well-being.
Productive Time (00:19:40)
Colin discusses the percentage of productive working time and the responsibility of project managers in assembling a team and a plan.
Integrity in Planning (00:20:34)
Colin stresses the importance of integrity in planning, decision-making for senior managers, and comparing the plan with the business case.
Importance of Planning (00:21:40)
Colin underlines the significance of planning for project success and avoiding failure, creating conditions for sustained success.
Listening is more than 'switching on your ears'
When was the last time you truly listened to someone at work? I mean, really listened, with your full attention?
In this episode of Culture and Coffee we dive deep into the art of listening—something that's often overlooked but is absolutely vital for a thriving workplace culture.
In this episode, I cover:
👂 The Lost Art of Listening: Did you know that a staggering 98% of us haven't been taught how to effectively listen? I explore how to listen not just to respond, but to truly understand.
💡 Empathy vs. Sympathy: Ever wondered what the real difference is? I'll break it down for you and show you why empathy is the secret ingredient to building rock-solid relationships and collaboration within your team.
🤝 Active Empathetic Listening: 'll guide you through the three crucial stages—sensing, processing, and responding—to help you master this skill.
🗣️ Feedback Finesse: Learn how to give feedback that's actually helpful by listening actively.
👀 Non-Verbal Cues: They say actions speak louder than words, and in the realm of listening, that's gold. I'll show you how to read between the lines and respond with care.
🧠 The Science of Listening: Our brains are speedy, but sometimes we need to slow down the info flow to really hear what's being said. I'll share some tips on how to do just that, even in our fast-paced world.
🛠️ Practical Tips for Everyday Listening: From making eye contact to ditching distractions, these are simple yet effective ways to enhance your listening skills.
Useful links 🔗
Connect with Colin on LinkedIn
Download the Culture Whitepapers for managers and senior executives
Subscribe to the Making Great Work Happen weekly newsletter
🎙️ Check out Inside Out Culture Podcast where myself and Cath Bishop get behind the headlines of cultures making the news to extract the learnings and insights, good and bad.
TIMESTAMPS
Introduction (00:00:01)
Colin introduces the topic of listening and shares his interest in understanding workplace culture.
Understanding Human Endeavours (00:01:22)
Colin discusses the human nature of workplace cultures and the impact of upbringing and skills on how people work together.
Case Study on UK Police (00:02:29)
Colin shares insights from a review of the UK police culture, highlighting defensive behaviour of senior managers and the lack of humility.
Lack of Listening Skills (00:04:48)
Colin discusses the decline in listening skills and the tendency for people to listen to respond rather than understand.
Family Time vs Work Time (00:06:00)
Colin compares the time spent listening in family settings versus work environments and emphasises the need for conscious listening.
Empathy vs Sympathy (00:08:19)
Colin explains the difference between empathy and sympathy in listening, using examples of how they manifest in workplace interactions.
Building Empathy for Collaboration (00:10:21)
Colin emphasises the importance of empathy in building strong relationships and effective collaboration within teams.
Key Behaviour: Listening Respectfully (00:11:28)
Colin discusses the significance of respectful and attentive listening as a key behaviour for success in workplace culture.
Enhancing Feedback Skills (00:11:28)
Colin explains how improved listening skills enhance the ability to give effective feedback within a team.
Respectful Listening Habits (00:14:24)
Colin shares personal habits developed to improve respectful listening, including avoiding talking over others and recognising when no response is needed.
Active Empathetic Listening (00:16:22)
Colin introduces the concept of active empathetic listening and its three stages: sensing, processing, and responding.
Listening as a Demonstration of Empathy (00:18:15)
Colin emphasises listening as a demonstration of empathy, strengthening relationships and improving teamwork within organisations.
Sensing and Processing (00:20:41)
Colin discusses the importance of sensing and processing information before responding and the need for time to process.
Giving Time to Process (00:21:46)
Colin emphasises the need to give people time to process before responding, especially in non-crisis situations.
Manager's Role and Listening (00:22:37)
Colin highlights the evolving role of managers and the need for active listening to inspire and motivate teams.
Slowing Information Flow (00:23:32)
Colin explains the importance of slowing down the information flow and summarising the process of sensing, processing, and responding.
Eliminating Distractions (00:24:38)
Colin advises on eliminating distractions, providing feedback, and approaching interactions with an open mind.
How to tame your to-do list
We are taking a deep dive into effective to-do list management. Do you rule your list or does it rule you?
It's time to break free from the tyranny of the to-do list. Instead, use it to help you manage your time and prioritise so that what really needs doing is number one.
This episode is for you if you ever feel like you're drowning in tasks. I cover:
🛠️ Next Level Lists - we're talking master lists, daily lists, and the art of saying "no" to keep your workload realistic. Plus, I share how to carve out time blocks for deep work that'll have you in the zone.
🎯 Task List Mastery - from tackling the big fish first thing in the morning to setting smart limits and celebrating your wins, these tips are your ticket to a more productive day.
📘Learning from others
Stephen Covey's "First Things First," is a game-changer for sorting out what's urgent from what's truly important. Remember, not all tasks are created equal!
Ray Dalio's "The Changing World Order" got me thinking about how our productivity shapes the world. And Peter Drucker? His thoughts on strategy are like a compass for navigating the sea of to-dos. I've distilled their brilliance into actionable tips that you can apply right now.
Useful links 🔗
Connect with Colin on LinkedIn
Download the Culture Whitepapers for managers and senior executives
Subscribe to the Making Great Work Happen weekly newsletter
🎙️ Check out Inside Out Culture Podcast where myself and Cath Bishop get behind the headlines of cultures making the news to extract the learnings and insights, good and bad.
TIMESTAMPS
Impact of Low Productivity (00:02:06)
Colin reflects on the low productivity statistics and the impact of COVID-19 on productivity levels.
Challenges of Overwhelming Workload (00:04:23)
Colin discusses the overwhelming workload faced by employees and its impact on mental health and well-being.
Strategies for Effective Task Management (00:13:23)
Colin shares his approach to task management, including maintaining a master list and daily task list, and the importance of prioritisation.
Planning and Prioritising (00:18:50)
The importance of planning and prioritising tasks, including delegating, focusing on important activities, and managing time efficiently.
Task Management and Discipline (00:19:50)
Emphasising the need for disciplined task planning, estimating effort, focusing on achievable tasks, and avoiding ambiguity in task descriptions.
Effective To-Do List Strategies (00:20:48)
Colin provides tips for creating an effective to-do list, including planning, prioritising daily tasks, setting limits, and avoiding overburdening with recurring tasks.
Avoiding Distractions and Taking Action (00:22:39)
Staying focused on priorities, and taking action by starting the day with task completion rather than email checking.
Celebrating Task Completion (00:24:36)
Colin suggests celebrating task completion, maintaining focus during task execution, and removing completed tasks from the list to maintain productivity.
* Introducing INSIDE OUT CULTURE PODCAST with Cath Bishop and Colin D Ellis *
If you enjoy Culture and Coffee you're going to love Inside Out Culture Podcast. Two culture experts with 30 years of experience, going deep on workplace cultures that have made the news. Taking lessons from the inside that you can use on the outside to improve your workplace culture, lift performance and ensure employee engagement.
Join your hosts, Olympian, former diplomat, author, speaker and coach Cath Bishop and me, Colin D Ellis, global workplace culture expert and best selling author, as we go beyond the headlines for the lessons and learnings that will transform the way work gets done.
Our first episode will land on Thursday 14 March and every two weeks thereafter. Find out more: https://insideoutculture.buzzsprout.com/
It's cool to be kind
This episode is all about the transformative power of kindness in the workplace and how it contributes to a positive culture and high employee morale.
In this episode I talk about:
🌟 The Strength of Kindness: We often misconceive it as a weakness, but it's a key ingredient in a thriving workplace.
😊Connection is the ultimate kindness: Getting to know your team, understanding them and what's important to them.
🤝 Empathy and Relationships: Building genuine connections at work isn't just nice to have; it's essential. I'm sharing some personal anecdotes that highlight how empathy and relationship-building are foundational to a kind culture.
🚫 The Kindness Killers: Ever wonder what drains kindness from an organisation? I pinpoint the culprits – from toxic competition to poor communication – and offering practical solutions to combat these challenges.
💡 Practical Kindness: It's all about the little things, every day gestures with a big impact.
💌 The Ripple Effect: Kindness isn't just about feeling good; it's about doing good and seeing the positive impact ripple through business success, innovation, and team morale.
📢 I am delighted to announce a new podcast. Inside Out Culture Podcast is a joint venture between myself and Cath Bishop who draws on a fascinating career as a former Olympic Rower, a senior diplomat specialising in conflict stabilisation, business coach, author and speaker. Cath and I will be taking a look behind the headlines of cultures in the news to find out what we can learn, what are the questions we should be asking about the future of work and how can we use the experiences of others to help us improve our own culture. Inside Out Culture launches Thursday 14th March - find it wherever you get your podcasts. 🎙️ Listen to the trailer here
Useful links 🔗
Connect with Colin on LinkedIn
Download the Culture Whitepapers for managers and senior executives
Subscribe to the Making Great Work Happen weekly newsletter
Timestamps **Fostering a Culture of Kindness (00:00:02)**
Colin discusses the significance of kindness in the workplace and shares personal anecdotes.
**Kindness as an Indicator of Strength (00:01:03)**
Colin challenges the notion that kindness is a weakness and underscores its importance in the workplace.
**Empathy and Building Relationships (00:02:06)**
Colin underlines the role of empathy and relationship-building in nurturing kindness within a team.
**Choosing to be Kind (00:04:13)**
Colin talks about the intentional aspect of kindness and its influence on business success.
**Assuming the Best in People (00:10:27)**
Colin relates a personal story and stresses the value of having a positive view of others.
**Elements that Erode Kindness in Organisations (00:11:34)**
Colin examines elements such as competition, stress, toxic culture, poor communication, and insecurity that can sap kindness from organisations.
**Cultivating a Culture of Kindness (00:16:28)**
Colin offers insights into how to cultivate a culture of kindness, highlighting the significance of personal stories and conversations about kindness.
**Tangible Examples of a Culture of Kindness (00:18:44)**
Colin presents instances of kindness initiatives and stresses the importance of selfless deeds without expecting reciprocation.
**Establishing a Culture of Kindness (00:19:41)**
The role of kindness, instances of minor acts, acknowledgement, and active listening in the workplace.
**Showing Appreciation (00:20:33)**
Methods of expressing gratitude, such as sending thank-you notes and presents, and the impact of promptly returning calls and emails.
**Assisting Colleagues (00:21:26)**
Assuming responsibility, acknowledging challenges, offering support, and the positive effect of kindness on individuals.
**The Influence of Kindness (00:22:21)**
The secretion of oxytocin, the euphoria from helping, and the power found in acts of kindness.
Solving the Back to Office Struggle
The shift to remote work has been one of the most significant changes in the workplace since the industrial revolution. As organisations continue to grapple with the idea of returning to the office, they're encountering a host of challenges. Balancing productivity, trust, and employee preferences requires a delicate touch and a willingness to rethink long-standing practices.
In this episode I cover:
- Why organisations need a culture reset for hybrid to be successful
- The six considerations of Hybrid Work (taken from the Hybrid Handbook)
- Rethinking the skills managers need to be successful in a hybrid scenario
- Setting new standards for communication and collaboration
- The different ways we talk about how we work and experiences from organisations
The post-pandemic work environment isn't just about where we work; it's about how we work. Leaders must be at the forefront of driving this change, fostering a culture that embraces flexibility, collaboration, and, most importantly, trust. Useful links 🔗 Read: Why 'Culture First' leaders will always succeed
Related episodes:
10 reasons organisations will abandon hybridHow organisations are doing hybrid Connect with Colin on LinkedIn
Download the Culture Whitepapers for managers and senior executives
Subscribe to the Making Great Work Happen weekly newsletter
Timestamps
The Struggle of Returning to the Office (00:00:01)
Colin discusses the challenges faced by organisations in managing the transition to hybrid work and the struggle of returning to the office.
Building a Successful Hybrid Work Culture (00:03:25)
Colin discusses the importance of trust and team culture in successfully implementing remote work and hybrid working models.
Challenges Faced by Remote-First Organisations (00:05:36)
Colin addresses the challenges faced by remote-first organisations in maintaining a strong working culture and productivity.
Measuring and Redefining Culture in a Hybrid Work Environment (00:07:44)
Colin emphasises the importance of measuring and redefining culture in a post-pandemic hybrid work environment.
Implementing True Hybrid and Remote Work Models (00:11:42)
Colin discusses the importance of trust and choice in true hybrid and remote work environments and the need for employee involvement in decision-making.
Mandating Office Return and Employee Disengagement (00:14:45)
Colin highlights the importance of handling office return sensitively and the need to avoid mandating specific office days to prevent employee disengagement.
Managing the Return to the Office and Enhancing Inclusion (00:17:40)
Colin emphasises the need to involve diverse voices and create a mode of working that enhances inclusion in the return to office planning.
Consequences of Mandating Office Return (00:18:34)
Colin discusses the consequences faced by organisations like Amazon, Disney, and Apple when mandating office return, emphasising the importance of retaining the right employees.
Retraining Managers (00:20:24)
Discussion on retraining managers for a deliberate change in culture and the effectiveness of equity groups.
Mandating Return Dates (00:21:11)
The disengagement generated by mandating specific return days and the importance of employee groups in planning the return to the office.
Providing Managerial Skills (00:21:59)
The need for organisations to equip managers with updated skills fit for the changing work environment, including setting expectations and building vibrant subcultures.
Setting Expectations and Boundaries (00:24:16)
The importance of setting expectations, maintaining relationships, and introducing new standards for online communication and collaboration in the success of hybrid work.
Struggle of Return to Office (00:25:33)
The challenges faced in managing the return to the office and the need for better planning, time, and dedication to solve the puzzle effectively.
Take this one action to transform your meetings
Without doubt one of the most problematic areas of our worklife, and one that I hear about all the time from the organisations I work with, is meetings. So in this episode of Culture and Coffee we're going to unpack the 'whys and whats' of meetings and figure out a better way to do this.
I cover:
- Why we have meetings and why they are important
- Trends on meetings - we're having more of them and that impacts our ability to get work done
- The 7Ps of Successful Meetings - I share my tried and trusted framework
- The one action all organisation can take to improve their meetings.
Connect with Colin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colindellis/
Find out more about Colin's work: www.colindellis.com
Subscribe to the Making Great Work Happen newsletter
Timestamps
Meetings and Their Purpose (00:00:01)
Colin discusses the reasons for holding meetings and the default nature of sharing information.
Importance of Meetings (00:01:35)
Colin explains the significance of meetings in providing consistent communication and building professional relationships.
Challenges of Meetings (00:03:43)
Colin highlights common criticisms of meetings, including disrespect, inefficiency, and increased meeting frequency.
Impact of Pandemic on Meetings (00:06:14)
Colin discusses the significant increase in the number of meetings since the pandemic and its impact on after-hours work.
Quality of Meetings (00:08:37)
Colin evaluates the quality of meetings based on engagement and emotional intelligence, emphasising the need for improvement.
Seven P's of Successful Meetings (00:11:46)
Colin outlines the seven essential elements for successful meetings, including purpose, priorities, and participation.
Role of Meeting Chair (00:15:34)
Colin emphasises the importance of training meeting chairs to ensure fewer, higher quality meetings and discusses their responsibilities.
Meeting Etiquette (00:19:34)
Addressing disrespectful behaviour and the role of the meeting chair in managing discussions and technology usage.
Improving Meeting Quality (00:20:24)
Training meeting chairs to practise the seven P's of successful meetings for achieving consistency and higher quality meetings.
Related reading:
Why relationships are key to success
On this episode, I talk about the importance of teams taking the time to build respectful, empathetic relationships and why this is important to performance.
I cover:
- Building and Nurturing Team Relationships
- The Challenges of Communication Breakdowns and
- Personality Clashes
- Emotional Connections and Productivity
- The Concept of Emotional Capital
- The Significance of Camaraderie in Teams
- Fostering a Positive Working Environment
Connect with Colin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colindellis/
Related reading: How are you rebuilding camaraderie? When in Rome… Why senior managers need to understand social cultures People just want to be respected The importance of building a speak up culture Toxic Culture Isn't Inevitable How to Build and Maintain a Vibrant Culture Download the free whitepapers here
Timestamps
Relationships: The Foundation of Team Success (00:00:05) Colin discusses the importance of relationships in team success and productivity, emphasising the need for intentional relationship building.
Culture Workshop and Reconnection (00:01:12) Colin shares his experience running a culture workshop focused on relationship building and reconnection after the Christmas break.
Communication Breakdowns and Relationship Building (00:02:15) Colin highlights the impact of communication breakdowns and the need for intentional relationship building within diverse groups for high team performance.
Productivity and Emotional Connection (00:04:19) Colin discusses the impact of emotional connection on productivity and the importance of a sense of belonging within an organisation.
Emotional Capital and Empathy (00:09:01) Colin explores the concept of emotional capital and the role of empathy in building strong relationships within a team.
Building Respectful Relationships (00:14:09) Colin emphasises the importance of building respectful relationships to facilitate feedback and courageous conversations for collaboration and results.
Defining Culture through Relationship Building (00:16:27) Colin discusses the significance of relationship building in defining an organisation's culture and the limitations of outdoor team-building activities in this context.
Camaraderie and Team Performance (00:19:05) Emphasising camaraderie over high performance for better team productivity and satisfaction.
How to celebrate success, respectfully
The culture crisis in sports
The white paper that I discuss on the show can be downloaded from www.theteamcode.com
Is it possible to hire for culture fit?
Why you feel burnt out at work
Five things great cultures do
Is your culture passive aggressive?
Jimmy Fallon and the toxic culture mea culpa
Five things everyone needs to know about culture
Why D&I programs fail
How to reduce your email
Read my HBR article on email at: hbr.org/2021/03/stop-does-that-message-really-need-to-be-an-email
3 Ways Culture Goes Bad
On this episode of the culture and coffee podcast I talk about three ways in which your culture could stagnate. This week’s coffee is a Guatemalan Santa Rosa roasted by Beat Coffee (www.beatcoffee.com.au) in Melbourne. Download a copy of my latest culture whitepapers at www.colindellis.com/culture-whitepaper
What kind of culture do you have right now?
Vote on my toxic culture poll at:
bit.ly/44dycNu
The 3 Characteristics of Toxic Cultures
Also, don’t forget to download the two whitepapers I’ve written on how to create a high performance culture at www.colindellis.com/culture-whitepaper
Are managers clueless about building culture?
You can also download the culture white papers that I talk about on the show at www.colindellis.com/culture-whitepaper
And sign up for the webinar at www.crowdcast.io/c/hpculture
How executives enable a high-performance culture
The 6 Pillars of Great Working Culture
How to deal with a toxic colleague
5 Ideas to Transform Your Meetings
10 reasons organisations will abandon hybrid
What is workplace culture?
How to deliver great projects
How to be humble
How to have courageous conversations
How to succeed at digital transformation
5 ways to switch off from work
How to end the year on a (culture) high
How toxic leaders kill culture
On this episode of the culture and coffee podcast I talk about how toxic leaders kill culture. This week’s coffee is a Kenyan Kieni from Coffee Collective in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Why your culture needs a strategy
Why plans will never be perfect
Why a purpose is important
6 Ways to Keep Your Culture Out of the Media
3 Things that Servant Leaders Do
How to manage different generations
Making innovation easy to do
How to say 'no' positively
Humour without Harassment
On this episode of the culture and coffee podcast I talk about humour and the role it plays in vibrant workplace cultures. This week’s coffee is a Peruvian filter coffee from coffeecompany in The Hague, Netherlands.
Where you start isn't where you finish
How to motivate the demotivated
How to communicate effectively
3 signs of a toxic culture
Welcome to Culture Makers Season 4! Episode 1 with Hassanah Rudd, Head of People and Culture at Brighte
More culture, a little less coffee this week only as we are slipping an episode of Culture Makers into your feed. In this podcast Colin talks to the leaders who are on the frontline of people and culture, creating great places to work.
In this episode Colin is talking to a leader who thrives on getting things done! Hassanah Rudd is the Head of People and Culture at Brighte, based in Sydney. Hassanah has more than 20 years people experience in three countries in the public and private sector and was recently named Corporate Talent Leader of the Year! A champion of experimentation, using technology for good and creating cultures where it's OK to be vulnerable, Hassanah shares her pragmatic approach to people and culture.
You can find the Culture Makers podcast here: https://anchor.fm/culturemakers or wherever you normally listen.
Culture & Coffee will be back next week!
Find out more about Colin: www.colindellis.com
Join the Culture Makers Community: www.culturemakers.community
Music courtesy of https://www.purple-planet.com