Wednesday, January 1, 2014

How to be a good huddler

How can you do a better job?  Be engaged in your daily huddle!

The daily huddle is, or should be, the life blood of your group and the foundation for all communications.  Don't take it for granted and don't give away the time.  From time to time the huddles I participate in tend to suffer from at least one of the following issues, and I include myself as a contributing guilty party.

  • Lack of energy - people are reporting, but there is no energy
  • Time bandits - people show up late or start problem solving or tell a really long story
  • Uh, Umm, Well - people are not prepared and so can't give a report quickly
  • Lack of attention - e-mailing or being otherwise engaged in something other than the huddle
Huddles should be quick (10-15 minutes), concise updates so that you can communicate what you're doing with your group and get help with any rocks you are facing.  

A few quick tips...
  • Bring some GOOD NEWS!  - no matter how bad things are, they could be worse.  I'm sure that there is some bright spot in most days, even if it is that you are thankful that yesterday is over and today is another day.
  • Come ON TIME - don't be late to your huddle.  
  • Be PREPARED - be prepared with your GOOD NEWS and things to report
  • Report QUICKLY - make your reports quickly and concisely.  Announce your rock and ask for help, but there's no need for details on the huddle
  • You DON'T have to provide every single update on everything, just what you think is important.
  • Pay ATTENTION - stand up, flip your keyboard over if you're on the phone, stay focused.  
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1 comment:

  1. Jo LawJanuary 3, 2014 at 8:25 AM

    Thanks for sharing. It's a good article. I think we all fall into the same traps from time to time.

    ReplyDelete

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