Tag: work-hack

Working out loud

Here is a work strategy for thriving teams, since “working out loud” requires a certain level of trust among the team members. “Working out loud” is a transformative approach to collaboration and knowledge sharing that involves openly sharing work progress, ideas, and learning processes. This method encourages transparency and connectivity within teams and organizations. By…
Lunch roulette

This is a work hack I really love! And one of the best tools to encourage communication and connection across departments even more i remote environments. The process typically involves using a software platform or tool to randomly pair individuals from different departments or teams. Participants then schedule a lunch meeting at a mutually convenient…
Left hand column writing

If you feel that your thoughts keep spinning around one topic or problem, you might want to try this simple technique: Left-Hand Column Writing is a creative tool aimed at enhancing divergent thinking and generating fresh ideas. The process involves creating two columns: in the left, you write down a problem statement or topic, while…
Pairing

(Spoiler alert: the secret benefit of pairing is better understanding and cooperation within the team.)I think you all know pair programming or even mob programming – maybe you do it regurarly in your team. But did you try pair writing or pair tasking in general? If you yet didn’t hear about pair programming: it’s a…
Open books

In my former company, we opened our books about 15 years ago. And since then, it was a crucial part of our collaboration.In an agile organization, opening the books—sharing financial information, strategic plans, and operational metrics—can be a transformative practice, fostering a culture of participation and loyalty among employees. When employees have access to transparent…
Slack time

As far as I know, Google didn’t invent slack time. But yes, the “20% rule” made the slack time famous.² The word itself derives from the slack action in railways. Slack time, often referred to as “buffer time” or “cushion time,” is a concept that emphasizes the importance of scheduling flexibility in complex projects. It…
Brown bag session

Have you ever be part of a team which used to have brown bag session?These are informal gatherings where team members come together to share knowledge, learn from each other, and discuss topics of interest over lunch or snacks (hence the name “brown bag session”). These sessions offer a valuable opportunity for continuous learning and…
Pay day at mid-month

Have you ever asked yourself why you get your salary at the end of the month? It’s a habit which most companies follow. But when you listen to the explanation of HR, you just hear reasons for the benefit of the shareholders. In my former company I was head of HR and about 15 years…
Niko Niko Calendar

The Niko Niko calendar is a tool used by some teams to track how happy or sad everyone feels each day. Instead of just noting down tasks or meetings, people also write down their moods. This helps the team see if there are any patterns in how people are feeling over time. Each team member…
Kudo wall

Appreciation is a great example for “important and not urgent”. But recognizing and celebrating achievements, big or small, is essential for fostering a positive and productive team culture. I first learned about kudo cards and the kudo wall from management 3.0 meetings in Munich. A kudo wall is a physical or virtual space dedicated to…
Quiet hours

Quiet hours – let’s talk about focus! You know how in Agile we break down big tasks into smaller chunks? Well, our brains work the same way. We can only concentrate on one thing at a time for so long, especially with constant pings and interruptions. Our brains are like computers, but way cooler! Imagine…