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Good morning. We've all heard the "rule" that becoming an expert at anything takes 10,000 hours of practice. Josh Kaufman, the author of The First 20 Hours, explains why this is untrue in his book.
His take is that going from average to the best might take 10,000 hours. To go from inexperienced to really good only takes about 20 deliberate hours.
Break that down, about 30 minutes a day for six weeks.
Elevate your Operation
Enhancing Team Relationships: Applying the "First 20 Hours" Framework for Senior Living Executives
As a senior living leader and nursing home administrator, you understand the importance of solid relationships within your team. To maximize your leadership growth in a limited timeframe, harnessing the power of the "First 20 Hours" framework can significantly improve your ability to build and nurture these relationships. This article will explore specific tactics within this framework that can accelerate your progress and enhance your connections with your team members.
Define Your Focus: Identify the areas where you want to improve your relationships with your team. It could be active listening, empathy, or fostering a collaborative environment. You can tailor your efforts towards targeted skill development and relationship enhancement by pinpointing your goals.
My focus: Building individual relationships with high-performing leaders who desire to grow into AITs.
Embrace Deliberate Practice: Allocate dedicated time to practice the skills required for effective relationship building. Engage in role-playing exercises that simulate scenarios you commonly encounter with your team members. Practice active listening techniques, conflict resolution strategies, and delivering constructive feedback. The more you immerse yourself in deliberate practice, the more natural and practical your relationship-building skills will become.
My deliberate practice: During each community visit (2-3/month), I will allocate two hours to meeting with high performers 1:1 to discuss IDPs. I will reach 20 hours of deliberate practice in 5-6 months.
Seek Knowledge and Resources: Seek resources that can expand your understanding of relationship dynamics and team management. Explore books, articles, and podcasts that provide insights on effective communication, emotional intelligence, and building trust. Draw inspiration from experienced leaders who have successfully fostered positive team relationships. Apply the strategies and techniques they share to your leadership style.
My knowledge growth: Revisit my research on IDPs and share the impact with the high performers. Revisit their growth goals during each touchpoint.
Cultivate a Growth Mindset: Adopt a growth mindset that embraces continuous improvement in your relationship-building abilities. View challenges as opportunities for growth and learning. Embrace a perspective that is open to feedback, willing to learn from mistakes, and resilient in the face of setbacks. Foster an environment that encourages growth and development for yourself and your team members.
Seek Feedback and Mentoring: Actively seek feedback from your team members on your leadership style and how it affects their experience. Create an atmosphere where team members feel comfortable sharing their thoughts, concerns, and ideas. Regularly solicit feedback through anonymous surveys, one-on-one conversations, or team meetings. Consider establishing a mentoring relationship with a seasoned leader who can provide guidance and insights on building effective relationships.
My feedback loop: Connecting monthly with community leaders and my leader to review progress and gain feedback and perspective on my approach
Apply Reflective Practice: Set aside time for self-reflection on your interactions and experiences with your team. Consider what strategies worked well and what could be improved. Identify patterns in your communication and behavior that may impact your relationships. Use these insights to make intentional changes, adjust your approach, and continually refine your relationship-building skills.
Iterate and Refine: Building strong team relationships is an ongoing process. Continually iterate and refine your skills by implementing what you have learned. Seek opportunities to practice and apply new techniques in your daily interactions. Regularly revisit your goals, reassess your progress, and make incremental improvements. Each iteration will bring you closer to becoming a more effective leader and relationship builder.
TLDR: By leveraging the "First 20 Hours" framework, senior living executives can accelerate their growth in building solid relationships with their team members. Define your focus, embrace the deliberate practice, seek knowledge and resources, cultivate a growth mindset, actively seek feedback, apply reflective practice, and iterate and refine your skills. Remember, building effective relationships is an ongoing journey, and with consistent effort and dedication, you can create a positive and collaborative team environment that drives success in your organization.
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