I missed the connection
Covid had just closed our offices and everyone was working remotely. We already had been offering Work from Home opportunities, so the process shift was not too disruptive. But I missed being in regular contact with them. And I knew they missed each other. So I started my own version of Friday Notes to share my personal journey through the WFH scenario, to connect with them, and to tell and what us leaders were thinking as we ventured through the unfamiliar journey, together.
My priorities for my Friday Notes are to show I care about them and appreciate their efforts. I write these because I want to them to achieve their dreams, to be the best they can be. I want to connect with them, and them with me, sharing our experiences and appreciation. The writing of the notes allows me to feel a personal connection that touches me, seeing everyone for their uniqueness and value.
What are they
Friday Notes have become a staple of company leaders as a way for them to keep everyone informed of what is happening in the company, from successes to upcoming events. Company leaders such as Marc Benioff at Salesforce have used some form of Friday Notes as a way to help let everyone know what the leaders are thinking, so that everyone is going in the same direction.
They can be used to share your vision for the company, planned anniversaries, give kudos, tell a customer story, provide metrics, and announce new clients. Since leaders can be seen as not very approachable, especially during remote work scenarios, Friday notes are a way to let people know who you are and what you are thinking.
Friday Notes are not just for company leaders to use, but divisional and team leaders alike can use the form to communicate with their teams. These notes can be used to help the team members connect with each other by sharing stories of their lives, sharing to help others cope with issues of the day, and to mentor.
My Format
Format for the Friday Note can be an e-mail, a post, or a video. If doing an e-mail or post, keep the note to one page long. If via video, keep it to less than 2 minutes. The point is to get people to read/see it. Much longer than this and few will open it, it would be seen as too much time commitment.
In such an abbreviated format, you have to get to the point quickly and finish it. My basic format for my notes is as follows:
1. Personal quip, getting to know who I am.
2. Outline of the 3 subjects I will write about that day.
3. The 3 subjects
4. Statement of gratitude to some aspect of the team and/or individual team member.
5. Concluding statement
For my notes I always start out with a personal quip, something I noticed, had a realization about, or experienced that made a change in my perception. This statement is always open, honest, and sometimes humiliating. All in the name of being me, being open and honest with them.
The 3 subjects I write about will vary. Sometimes we are considering policy changes or a change in process, which I will give a heads-up on. This is in hope of getting some response and feedback. Plus I will always have at least 1 items about personal growth and development. Nothing is more important to me than helping everyone grow as people. Helping them to see their value and to focus their growth there, on what they already are already so valuable for.
Expressing gratitude for your team is something I find beautiful to consider. Being grateful for a certain aspect about them shows how I see them, care about them, and appreciate that certain aspect about them. The practice helps you to clearly see what they do and what you do appreciate them for doing. Do not underestimate how much your note means to people, it touches them. Making that personal connection always touches me, seeing people in their unique ways.
Why I do it
Writing my notes forges a connection with everyone every time I write them. The writing helps me to see who they are, how great they are. I believe the most important part of this writing is to be open, honest, and focus on helping others. Do this has made me closer to them, as a leader, this is the most important thing I can do.