This is another book that helped me to understand the concept of Tiimiakatemia principles a little bit more. It focuses on the field of leadership and helps me to create a clearer picture of how this system is designed to work.
“It is our aim to develop you and your team visually, because we believe in creativity, together with the powers of thought and vision.”
The journey of developing Friend Leadership skills is divided into 5 elements placed on steps, one above the other. Each chapter focuses on each element and provides us with visual tools and theory to help us master them. As I was aware of some of the theory already, I tried to use this book’s ideas for visual representations.
Earth
Earth element is all about knowing and understanding yourself. So the tools provided will help you with that.
It consists of
Learning contract
Vision mandala
4X wheel driving in learning
I drew my Learning contract for the first time, which has been very helpful so for. I finally remember what I want to achieve this semester and I keep getting it reminded, every time I see it.
The mandala is also important because it reminds us of our true passion. I am still quite not sure how to work with this tool and which passion should I choose, but I really want to make one.
4X wheel driving is already known for me, but still a good reminder, that without customer visits, my car will not drive. I still have some work to do…
Water
Water forms team’s significance. It gives team a direction.
I drew our leading thoughts into the visual tool and realized I do not know what to write as our mission… Something I need to figure out very soon !
I am planning on measuring our positivity and fun during next couple training session (I will add results later.) Here is my prepared graph for it:
At the start of first year, we shared the results of our Belbin test but never actually made a conclusion out of it. It is a shame, because knowing which role each teammate has - is crucial and can help us cooperate better and be aware of our strengths and weaknesses. So at least I made it I now.
Fire
A friend leader ignites the team. It fuels it.
It means to be aware of and apply:
Deep leadership
Meaningful leadership
MICEE philosophy
Annual clock
Annual clock
Reading about annual clock I have realized we are still behind on planning with my team. Last year we only set a 3 yearlong vision and no target for the specific year. It made it difficult for us to set month goals and weekly goals were unimaginable. Now we have realized, breaking down the goals, starting from the biggest one, could really help us be more organized and perform better. But we still got quite a way to go.
Wind
Know your environment and create new. Listen to your hearth while forming a strategy.
I feel like this chapter highlights very well the important questions while choosing a project and forming its strategy. The tools provided are designed to make you stay true to yourself.
The hedge hock concept
Strategic choices
Brand envelope
Pre+post Motorola
I have only used pre+post Motorola so far and I consider them very helpful. I made templates for the other ones and will try to bring them to my team or project team, as we are the start of second year, and they might come in hand while choosing new projects.
Void
Mindfulness and the ability to think about what is happening.
“Develop the measurement also for the future, not only for the past.”
We work with dialogue during our training sessions. Developing rules was our task at the beginning of last year and we revise them once every semester. Our main performance indicator right now is TRP tracking. Looking at the graph shown in the book I am realizing, we should/could start using our “money data” as a performance indicator as well.
“You need to have a goal to get somewhere. Measuring the goal is crucial. Money is the easiest way to measure the results. The drawback with the money measurement is that it is backward looking. Your business is like a car.”
I am the first one to say in our team, that it is not about money, but we can (should) use it as a measurement.
Conclusion
Very handy book, with a lot of visual techniques that can help you along the growth process in Tiimiakatemia. I would be grateful to have read it sooner. It outlines the most important parts of mindset, that is cultivated in TA.
I got 9 techniques, made templates for them and some already used. If you read this far and want to use some, lucky you. Just come to me, I will give them to you.
