When we find ourselves seeming to be on that proverbial “hamster wheel” and we have been challenged by the same problem time and again. When we are experiencing the same issues with our staff or friends or family. We need to first ask, what is not working for us?

By identifying what is not working, we can start to think of reasons why it’s not working. What has changed? From there, we can start to strategize ways to make it work.

Let’s say the recurring issue confronting us is the lack of teamwork in our company or department. Whatever we have been doing has not translated into that team environment; cooperation is not the norm. It is time to take a hard look at what we are presently doing.

Here are three areas of enquiry that may help with the challenges we face.

First, what are we doing that may be stifling teamwork? Are we actually “walking the talk” or just talking? Many times, we talk about being a team while not modeling that behaviour or not having procedures in place to support it. Employees will not buy into a concept if they do not see it being supported, truly embraced, or even see a reason for it.

Second, we might ask what has worked in the past? Was there a time when there was a team spirit? If so, what did it look like? When did it change and why? Is there a way to get it back? The past often holds clues to our future, we can learn from our past.

A third angle for reflection is to look at other companies or departments where teamwork is flourishing and learn from them. Where have we seen teamwork and cooperation flourishing? What lessons can we learn from them? Who can we talk to about their experience with successful teams? Finding examples of successful teams and how they developed is a good way to incorporate it into our business.

To get off the “hamster wheel”, we need to shift our thinking and behaviour by looking at what’s not working, what has worked in the past, and what we can learn from others.

Paul Abra, Motivated Coaching