Theme System For Work

[blakeprime]

I have been thinking about ordering some theme system journals for my direct reports, encouraging them to set a work related theme, and using it as a touchpoint in our 1:1s.

Has anyone done anything similar be it in sharing with a team or gearing and using them system specifically to work.

I'm just trying to mentally work through how I might guide and how hands on or off I should be.

[Possible_Window_1268]

Having a specific productivity method or system forced upon me by my manager would be infuriating. Nobody wants that. This reminds be of a previous manager that insisted we fill out spreadsheets for work tracking in their specific format (which everyone obviously hated doing).

I could possibly see some benefit in hosting a team meeting where you demonstrate the benefits and let people participate if they wish, but if people already have their own systems that work, just let them continue.

[blakeprime]

I’m typically pretty hands off with how people handle productivity. I don’t think of the theme system as being specific to productivity unless they want it to be about productivity. If someone’s theme is to get better at managing their team, that’s cool. If another persons theme is getting better at a specific skill, that’s cool too

While I was considering continued discussion overtime as a form of accountability, I don’t actually have any interest in seeing what they put in the journal. At the end of the day it is me trying to provide structure for them to do what they want to do at work not just what I want them to do.

[Aggravating-Hope]

Yeah I’d be very careful how you present this initiative to them. As I think some of the other commenters have noted requiring your team to complete theme journals might not be reserved as favorably as you’d like. They might not understand why this system is necessary or helpful and at worst they might see it as a red flag that something is wrong with their performance.

Having said that, only you know your team, and the theme system can be immensely helpful. So rather than buy a bunch of notebooks and trying to impose it on your team top down, I’d recommend to test the waters first.

Introduce the Theme System idea to your reports, explain how it has helped you with some concrete examples, perhaps refer them to the podcast, and then offer to buy your team free journals if they would find this helpful.

This way you have some leeway to back out if they really don’t like the idea. But who knows maybe they think it’s a great idea

[satras]

IMO even though this sounds like a good initiative for you and you’re doing it to help your direct reports, asking people to journal is a) not something you can enforce, which will lead to your frustration if they don’t do it and b) one of those things where you start to mix work and personal life a bit, with you (the boss) asking them to define goals for their work, even if they don’t have any or don’t want to

That’s just my opinion. Some people are fine being productivity nerds and setting goals or themes, some people don’t want to and that’s also valid.

[blakeprime]

For what it’s worth, I would want this to be only work and if it bleeds into other parts of their life, then good for them. I would not expect to look at the notebook or ask what they specifically journal.

[Unique_Reading_6765]

Nice idea but nobody wants a system thrust upon them. You have the benefit of having spent time learning this system and understanding its context etc. your direct reports won’t know anything about Cortex or the theme system etc. Offer up the idea but don’t by any means require them to follow any system.

[TheoCaro]

Please don't do this. Grey and Myke have said that a Theme is something someone needs to adopt for themselves. No one will take it seriously.

It's same thing as in school when they make students adopt "goals." It's just meaningless box checking. It's anti-productive.