Building Better Teams: March Edition
Source: Hannah Busing on Unsplash
Greetings everyone! I’m excited to introduce you to a new monthly blog series from The Good Camp: Building Better Teams. Our team is committed to serving conscious brands and consumers but it’s hard to do that if we’re not living the related values and lifestyle ourselves.
We’re really passionate people using our marketing powers for good and just like you, we’re working to make a positive difference in the world. With that passion comes responsibility: to ourselves, our team members and our environment. It’s easy to justify working overtime, being a perfectionist and saying yes to exciting opportunities, but we all need to be careful to deliver the best results for clients and consumers.
We’re challenging you to do the same! It’s important to develop a team culture that’s accountable, responsible and committed to living by conscious values. Check out this list – is this how you would describe your team?
Educated on social issues
Practices social awareness and empathy
Prioritizes respect and ethics
Lives sustainably and protects the environment
Commits to discovering mental balance
Why Does a Conscious Team Matter?
Well, I’ll share an experience with you that really opened my eyes to this. While I was training to become a Group Fitness Instructor, one of the women in my session explained something that radically changed my thinking about work. We had discussed the importance of self-care and how, “empty cups don’t pour,” meaning that in order to provide care and value for others it is necessary to take care of oneself first.
However, she took it one step further saying, “The best cup to pour is one that is overflowing.” If we live and work in a way that we just barely have enough to give to others, we experience burnout quicker. When we’re overflowing we have so much more to offer! For this reason, consistently prioritizing your health and wellness (whether that may be mentally, physically, spiritually, etc.) is critical to living your mission and delivering the most value to not only you, but your customers as well.
Source: Kaylee Garrett on Unsplash
What Should My Team Do To Be Better?
Your organizational culture has a dramatic impact on your marketing, alignment, customer journey and brand experience – that is one reason this matters so much! The more connected, healthy and aware you all are, the better. Aside from just telling your team to prioritize their wellness, we’d like to share some ideas based on what our team practices. At all times, we have wellness resources shared amongst us and we encourage team members to take time away as needed (which is super important in the virtual world!). We also have monthly challenges connected to relevant themes and events. You can find some examples below! Each month, we’re going to share some important ideas through this post with some ways on how to engage your team to learn, grow and connect.
What’s Going On In March?
National Months
March is an exciting month! Women’s History and Nutrition are in the spotlight, but it’s also Optimism Month, National Ethics Month and Expanding Girls’ Horizons in Science and Engineering Month. Make sure to add these themes and related dates to your calendar!
National Days
Show your co-workers extra appreciation this month by sending a note of gratitude, and if you’re the boss, consider ending the digital workday early and encouraging your team to unplug on March 5. For the First Day of Spring, step outside to get some fresh air – no matter the weather! If you’re in the office, take a break outside together. For World Water Day, explore these TED Talks. There are so many interesting and important things to know about water.
More Ideas
Shop local at the end of the month and make a conscious effort to support your local mom and pop shop, boutique, cafe or diner. Use your social media platform to showcase the great things they are doing or to share their story. Last, and especially after this year, write a thank-you card to doctors and medical professionals near you. Make it a virtual team event or an in-person arts and crafts break. Give your essential workers and team a round of applause!
March Conscious Business Calendar created with Canva
Team Challenge Ideas
There’s always more going on each month so think about what is most relevant to your team and company. By engaging your team with challenges or events you can also share some behind the scenes action with your audience through social media, demonstrating your commitment to conscious consumption beyond standard business interactions.
Here are our March challenge ideas for you:
Enjoy these challenges and activities as a team! Your work is so much more than “business” and by investing in your development and giving back to your community, you will be able to deliver more for your conscious consumers. Change starts from the inside out. Thanks for fighting the good fight and tag us on social media with what challenges you take on. See you next month!
#thegoodcamp #buildingbetterteams
