3 Steps to Activate Your Team's True Heart
Unify your team for greater engagement, purpose, and innovation
Activate your team’s true heart
If you own or lead a mission-driven company or team, in this blog post I share 3 key steps you can leverage to support you in helping your team be more inclusive, engaged, and productive.
Read further for more about my experience leading a team building exercise for a mission-driven property in northern California. I then parse out the key elements of this process that you can apply right away to activate the heart of your team.
But first…a bit about the (magical) journey
I recently visited Mandala Springs Wellness Retreat Center as a potential site for my next Ignite Your Life Retreat. I originally learned of Mandala in my search for regional properties with aligned values. Diamond Light retreats are designed to support people in taking a major leap forward in their life, and so choosing the right location is crucial to empower a transformative experience.
Mandala is located in Cobb, a small mountain town in northern California. I immediately tuned into the magic of this this 200 acre property which is steeped in rich history. In fact, a portion of the property once encompassed the entire (tiny!) town of Glenbrook. It was actually a way station along the pony express!
When I reached out to learn more, I immediately resonated with the staff’s kindness. My excitement grew as I learned more about their focus on the interconnection between nature and spirit. I also appreciated how they strive to provide a generative space for people of all faiths for reflection and growth, while they also offer inclusive (including substance- free and plant based) conscious gatherings. These aspects resonate with the energy we value and cultivate in our retreats.
During my visit to the center, I immediately tuned into the magic here. For those of you who are energy sensitive, you know that tuning into the vibration of a place is so important for insights and clarity. Essentially, my inner senses led me to tune into the ancient beings, perhaps from generations ago, who infused this land with their love and blessings. This was amplified by the wise trees and nearby forested lands.
Teambuilding by “heart”
As part of my site visit, I was also scheduled to lead the staff on a teambuilding exercise. I led a guided meditation where the focus was on aligning and amplifying Mandala’s true mission and purpose. Below I share three key elements of this exercise that we integrated to help achieve this goal.
1. Activate your “why”
Team members need to know “why” they are bringing their gifts to your organization. For example, when you consider your own work, what is it that wakes you up in the morning with a feeling of possibility and joy? This is your “why”.
Just pondering this purpose can get your juices flowing. For some of us, it’s the passion to serve deeply, for others to be creative.
When we tune into this desire to share our true gifts, untold reserves of energy are generated and support us in moving forward in our mission. When you activate your team with their “why”, you are awakening a powerful force that can be leveraged for good.
2. Respect and value diverse contributions
In organizations, while there are individual functions, it is the power of the collective that actually ensures your overall mission is accomplished.
When bringing your team together, find the way to demonstrate the impact each team member has to fulfill your collective mission.
If your mission is to serve the homeless in your city, for example, the marketing team may be focused on amplifying your message. The operations team may be handling logistics. Social workers may be working one-on-one in the trenches.
Each function is valuable and needed, and it is important for you as a leader to provide this context. When your team values and respects diverse functions and approaches, you can minimize outdated (and costly) backbiting, and foster a richer and more innovative culture.
3. Activate the common goal and mission
Now that each person has connected to their “why”, and seen the value of each other’s contribution, re-align this back to your organization’s mission.
Continuing with the example above, if your company is focused on serving the homeless, consider reminding your team see how they can leverage their “why” in service of helping the homeless find sustainable housing.
Many of your team members likely joined your organization because they resonated with your purpose. Make sure that your company is truly living this purpose. Invite team members to bring their inner resources and innovative energy to expand on what’s possible for you to achieve your mission with greater impact.
Together, and aligned with the heart, you achieve so much more!
Let’s bring it all together
In the teambuilding exercise I shared above, we integrated each of these elements to build engagement and enhanced teamwork.
As Mandala is a refuge for those seeking peace, reflection and healing, this powerful meditation enhanced each team member’s alignment with their own purpose and heart. We then expanded this so that each person’s purpose was brought together in harmony to support the larger mission of Mandala.
Insights were shared after the meditation that infused the energy of serving the people who visit this location throughout time. A deeper level of connection and mutual respect flowed in the conversation, and invited more empathy, alignment, and trust, key elements to a cohesive and high functioning team.
Next steps
Utilize these tips to inspire your own team, so that they can help your mission-based organization flourish. Your heart-aligned team is an empowered force that can then offer support stronger customer care, be more creative and innovative, and ultimately provide a stronger client experience that drives more revenue.
Want to learn more? Diamond Light Consulting offers mission-driven organizations teambuilding retreats, executive coaching, immersive experiences, and more. We support your team in powerfully aligning with your mission, which can help you achieve stronger performance and increased revenue.
Schedule your team-building Clarity Call to discuss your vision, goals and potential next steps. Reach out directly with questions to me directly at alisa@diamondlightnow.com
I look forward to connecting!