At Lawyers with Purpose we feel very passionately about our unrelenting standards around consistently operating by our Rules of Engagement. On our weekly CCI call this week, we discussed how easily the expectations set within the Rules of Engagement can be pushed aside in the day-to-day of our “busy” world. How we give each other permission to let each other off the hook with no operation by set standard.
It's those times that we allow The Rules of Engagement to be part of our consistent daily practice that there is very rarely ever a need for sporadic reactive “sit downs” about to what's going on with X (team, projects, cash flow etc.). And in our experience the work that has to go into repairing, redirecting and/or retooling doesn’t have to occur this way. If you make it part of your standards, the consistency in all facets of your business begin to happen.
Your Rules of Engagement should, in essence, say that as a team we agree to operate under the following rules – day in and day out – to allow us to grow and eliminate any unnecessary dividedness.
SAMPLE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
1. To refrain from holding on to “stories and stuff” – always clarify and verify what is being ask of you and always operate with honest while respectful mentality; (A) If you ask me, I will tell you; (B) If I ask you – it’s because I “need” to know to be sure my needs are being met
2. Lead and operate every meeting with:
- Declaration of the purpose and intended outcome
- Printed Agenda with the team leader running
- Next specific actions and deadlinesEvery person is absolutely required to hold each other accountable and be accountable for their our own actions
3. Every person is absolutely required to hold each other accountable and to be accountable for their own actions.
4. EVERYTHING is ALWAYS “on the table” with a “CAN DO” approach
5. We agree to always engage in Healthy Conflict to solve real problems quickly and to put critical topics on the table for discussion. If there is something that someone is doing and behavior that is a constant roadblock YOU need to conduct a STOP and identify the behavior that is occurring in that moment so we can identify and breakthrough.
6. We agree to refrain from gossip. Do not say something out loud that you would not say if you knew it was to be repeated. If a statement starts with “Don’t tell….” It’s gossip
7. We agree as a team to always be willing to FAIL FORWARD. United we stand, divided we fall.
If you're interested in learning more about how Lawyers With Purpose could support your estate planning / elder law practice, please join us in Chicago June 9th – 11th for our Asset Protection, Medicaid & VA Practice With Purpose Program. Register today as we are filling fast. The hotel is almost sold out so grab your seat today!
Molly Hall, Co-Founder, Lawyers With Purpose, LLC, and author of Don't Be a Yes Chick: How to Stop Babysitting Your Boss, Transform Your Job and Work With A Dream Team Without Losing Your Sanity or Your Spirit in the Process
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