10 Minutes Will Spare Untold Pain

Ever had a total disconnect with one of your colleagues? I’m sure you have. We’ve all been there. The clean-up from misunderstandings, people feeling offended or a team that spends hours/days working on the wrong priorities takes a lot of a time and energy to make right. Sometimes it’s like putting Humpty Dumpty back together again; an impossible task.

10 minutes will save you and a colleague from trouble down the road:

Here’s a simple iMap prevention strategy. Go to the center pane of the iMapMyTeam dashboard. Drop down the “Reports About You” menu and print My Communication Blind Spots. Have your manager, teammate, direct report do the same. Then take 10 minutes to:

·     Compare and contrast.

·     Discuss the potential communication strategy gaps.

·     Develop a plan to close/avoid those gaps.

That’s it. Simple. Highly effective. Fast.

My Communication Blind Spots opens up strategies that you may not have previously considered for connecting with people. I am reminded of a proposal we once submitted to a client who was an extremely visual learner. Our final product took on the form of a ‘storyboard’ depicting the process every step of the way. That format, in her hands, was magical. 

While perfect for her, it could have totally missed the mark for someone else who did not share her passion for a picture. Being able to use iMap to design our communication strategy made it a low risk decision for us because we knew in advance what approach would best convey our message to her.

Communication in the workplace is often a weak spot. We think because we’ve transmitted, it should be received. Take time to ensure that you’re sending on a frequency that matches with the receiving end. It can be crystal clear to you and seem like muddy water to me.

Just invest 10 minutes for clarity…and a savings of all sorts of pain.

How to Prevent A Message Misfire

Year end is rapidly approaching and, as the pace picks up, the opportunities for communication disconnects with our messages increase.  And yet, in order to reach your 2017 goals and be ready for 2018, a lot of critical information needs to be shared.  The key is to communicate in a way that grabs attention in the same way “Breaking News” on TV catches our eye.

 The headline that draws our attention is often linked to what is important to us.  And, our iMap information gives us insight as to what those captivating headlines will be.  They come from the Areas of Interest section which is defined by the asterisk on the grid.  Two reasons why these are important:

•      Interests influence the way we prefer to transmit messages to others and,
•      Interests dictate what draws our attention when on the receiving side of messages. 

You can prevent your communication from misfiring when your messaging is packaged in a way that is in sync with what’s important to those you are communicating with.  If we share the same interests, the message clicks naturally. While that natural connection is great, the more people that need to hear your message increases the potential of a misfire because our communication doesn’t have the right headline that will hook us.

For example if factual and data centric communication is important to you and you send an email to someone who just groans when they see your subject line is “Latest metrics for your review” with an attached spread sheet, two things will likely happen.  They will not open it at all or they will put it off for later and never get to it.  For that person, a different approach may have gotten their attention.  Perhaps, “Can we talk?” or “Answers to your Questions.” 

Another example is written communication. If you love to write you may use too many words (in the other person’s opinion) and chances are good you will have created a document that person will unlikely read in its entirety.  A high level summary would have sufficed for them. Once again, the message is muddled because of interest mismatch.

iMapMyTeam® includes a report called ‘My Communication Blind Spots’ in the center pane that provides insight to your highest and lowest levels of interest. This insight will help you become more aware of how you may possibly over or underuse a communication strategy based upon your personal interest filter.

Your communication strategy needs to be formed around the others person’s interest to get and keep their attention. The My Communication Blind Spots suggests ways you can rethink your strategy ensure no misfires.  Use this to create compelling headlines that capture attention immediately.

Save yourself and others time, prevent message misfires, get others focused and onboard quickly.

You have to like that message!

All Things to All People

iMapMyTeam is now just about 9 years old. It was first rolled out as a beta test with PNC Bank in 2010

Since that beta, users from highly recognizable Fortune 500 organizations to companies with as few as 10-15-20 employees have relied on the insights that iMapMyTeam provides. All manner of industries are represented too.

I’m frequently asked, “How do others use iMapMyTeam?” In short, no organizations use it the same way, and I would go as far as saying that very few users use it exactly the same.

But I would suggest that the common denominator of all users is that it saves time. How does one value time? My guess is it is highly valued as most feel pressured to get results and that time is a fixed constraint.

Studies by various entities consistently show that managers spend nearly 20% of their time - more than seven hours a week or nine weeks per year —correcting communication errors, intervening in employee disputes, and dealing with all manner of interpersonal conflict.

Layer on top of that stat, the studies that show the amount of lost time and productivity to stress – regardless of the source – from co-workers, organizational transition and change and so on.

Add to that the time devoted to coaching/learning/performance conversations – be they regularly scheduled check-ins or interventions when execution is off the rails.



I would really welcome measuring those statistics with our more dedicated iMapMyTeam users because, I am confident, they would report that they have reduced the amount of time on the issues listed above by regular use of the insights provided by iMapMyTeam.

How do I love thee iMapMyTeam; let me start to count (some of) the ways-

–    When new members are added to my team

–    When I need to quickly understand the overall dynamics of a team

–    To understand how I fit into the team

–    Any time there are ‘high stakes’ important conversations to be had

–    Coaching and performance conversations

–    To aid in resolving disagreements or diffusing conflict

–    Help increase employee engagement and motivation

–    Communicate more effectively and clearly

–    Prepare for important meetings; make meeting more effective

–    Reducing stress

–    Helping guide people (including yourself) through change

10 ways, and I’ve just scratched the surface of possibilities. iMapMyTeam: the way you use it may differ, the frequency of use may vary, but undeniably a formidable arrow in your quiver to manage all of the relationships that impact your businesses bottom line and save you time.

Safe Haven Teams

In case you haven’t noticed, things are tough out there in the ‘real’ world.

Many people feel as if their core values are being challenged. Our society feels a little like someone threw it into a blender and pushed the high button. So many aspects of our culture have been vigorously whisked, stirred or agitated. As a result, numerous relationships are polarized and people cannot seem to discuss differences of opinion in a civil manner any longer.

I think our organizations are filled with individuals who come into work every day confused, frustrated and perhaps worse off due to the uncertainty and volatility in our culture.

Your team, however, can be a safe haven- a place to gain a sense of accomplishment, a place to get things done, to develop relationships that are mutually beneficial to your collective success.

Each iMap user can be a facilitator/implementer of what it means to connect, relate, mentor, coach, and help others to feel a sense of stability, inclusion and relationship in the workplace in service to your organizational mission and values.

There is a simple fact that should bind you all together. You NEED to. You need people to actively participate and be engaged. Aspire to help those who depend on you for leadership by finding new ways to help them to connect and work together.

It is not hard with iMapMyTeam, you can start here:

The Relational Snapshot report:

This two page report provides quick insight to multiple aspects of how we tend to build relationships with others and what expectations we have of them.

Simply printing this report and sitting down with another person with his or her report and talking about what it means to the two of you is a great start to connect.



Make 2018 the year that you make a difference by making your team a safe haven where the relationships are strong which makes your organization strong. Stand out, and get going because leadership is truly all about relationships.



Valentine’s Day Relationship Matrix

Sunday morning with coffee and my journal in front of me I contemplated Valentine’s Day – and the core reason for celebrating that holiday – relationships.

I reflected on cards, flowers, candies, candlelight dinners and wine…I learned that the heart-shaped conversation candies originally made by Necco, called Sweethearts, got their start in 1901.

My thoughts drifted to business relationships and I created a standard 2x2 matrix with relationships on one axis and results on the other. Where did that lead me? As is always the case with a 2x2; four possibilities.

Possibility #1 is poor relationships, poor results. If that’s where you were (I use past tense for a reason) you’re not likely employed – at least not in a leadership role. Unfortunately, I think most of us at one point in our working lives likely experienced this part of the matrix.

Possibility #2 is good relationships, poor results. Leaders should not be here. Work is not about making friends or only pleasing people – you are ultimately measured by results. If you are here on the matrix maybe you are ‘terminally nice’ and maybe even a pushover for your team. Not a great place to be. Seeking out coaching to help you take a tougher stance with your group may be a remedy.

Possibility #3 is poor relationships, good results. You actually have a better chance, in my opinion, to survive longer here because you are achieving results. Those paying attention only to the bottom line may think, under a cursory examination, they are doing great. Yet a deeper analysis would likely tell a different story. This is not sustainable. Results yes, but at a great cost to people.  If you are here, seeking coaching that emphasizes emotional intelligence will help you get the people perspective back in balance. iMapMyTeam is your best friend, or should be.

The fourth and final variable is what you should strive for, and what all employees want from their leader - good relationships, good results. In this quadrant of the matrix we strike the right balance of valuing people, supporting them, understanding their passions and motivational needs and channeling energy to achieve and exceed company goals.

Valentine’s Day doesn’t celebrate work relationships, yet work relationships are critical to our success. A ‘gift’ you can extend to your colleagues is making sure they are actively using iMapMyTeam. They may have forgotten that the iMapMyTeam dashboard sits on their desktop available to help them balance managing business results and managing  the relationships that make those results possible.

Nudge them back into the fold, show them you care about their success; send them the heart that says www.iMapMyTeam.com

Static Document – Dynamic Environment

Once created, iMapMyTeam reports don’t change much. Oh sure, as the developer we may tweak language a bit to clarify, make minor adjustments based on client feedback but they remain fairly static because they are written accurately to what the data means based on our years of experience.

However, I find that from time to time – I get surprised in a way I don’t want to be surprised.

I’ll be engaged in discussion with a client, they begin to share an account of something that has happened recently, and I ask “did you use ___fill in the blank___ iMap report to help you with that situation?”

Their response goes something like this. “I’ve looked at that report before”. Or “I’ve worked with John Doe/Sally Doe for 10 years and read the reports once a while back when we first went on the system.”

Yes the report is similar – the issue is that the person is in a dynamic environment that is constantly changing.

At any particular time that dynamic environment may or may not be in sync with that person’s motivational need. It is the same person, but are they in the same exact environment and situation as when you last looked at the iMap report?

Chances are slim that they are the same, most everything everywhere is being shaken up. What was important or relevant in that report 6 months or a year ago is different today.

For the most part, iMapMyTeam reports are informing you what to do relative to a person’s motivational need. The need is the filter of how they perceive the world around them. It is the yardstick they use to measure if they are being supported or not. Needs are not negotiable.

Without the needs being met, the person shifts into their stress reactive behavior.

Sitting with your direct report or colleague and asking “right now, which is the most important sentence in this report for you?” is always a great question.  Even if you think you know, ask it and you will probably be surprised by their answer.

Light The Flame

“At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.”

 Albert Schweitzer     

In what has become an imapMyTeam® Tuesday Tip Tradition, the Thanksgiving week tip focuses on gratitude.

As we wish you and your coworkers a Thanksgiving filled with abundance and bright moments, it’s fitting to reflect on the things we are most grateful for at work. At the top of the gratitude list are the diverse talents of our coworkers. Each colleague brings something different to help make your team, and ultimately your organization, thrive. Without their passion, strengths and commitment to reach your team’s success you would flounder.

It is in moments of darkness, when our minds or bodies can’t be pushed any further, that our team members light that flame.  Ideas flow again, energy is regained and our work becomes productive.  It is for each other that we should be most grateful.

Use imapMyTeam® to make it easy to find and document positive attributes of your team members. Consider their contributions and how they add to the team’s overall success. Perhaps write down a few notes to solidify your appreciation. The gratitude you offer will benefit you as well as your colleagues.

Studies have established that when people take time to identify specific positive attributes in others or their actions, and take time to acknowledge them in some way, they tend to:

• Have a relative absence of stress and depression
• Make progress toward important personal goals
• Report higher levels of determination and energy

We are grateful for the readers of Tuesday Tips and users of imapMyTeam®; we appreciate each and every one of you – without you there would be no us. We greatly value your trust and confidence and sincerely appreciate your loyalty to our business - you light the flame for us.

We hope you enjoy some time away from the demands of work and your return from the holiday comes with a renewed attitude of gratitude!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!