I recently attended a dinner for Autism Speaks with a coaching client and his management team. To illustrate how those with autism can be included in main stream activities, she told the story of an autistic boy in high school who discovered he could kick a football through the goal posts. He practiced so diligently he became the field goal and point after touchdowns kicker for his high school football team. The speaker then showed a video of him kicking the winning field goal in the championship game and his team celebrating his achievement https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/10/23/autistic-high-school-football-player-has-moment-for-the-ages-kicks-game-winning-field-goal/.  

 

When the video finished, I looked around the room. It was readily apparent, as a room full of “macho guys”, including those at our table and myself, were surreptitiously using their dinner napkins to dry their eyes, the video of this young man had created a real emotional impact on everyone in the room.  

 

And if the speaker had been looking for it, she would have seen the impact the video had on the audience, and realized she had a “window of opportunity.” And, to take advantage of this unexpected “window of opportunity” she could have said “While we appreciate the support and the donations you have made; we need you to donate more. Because young men and young women, like the young man in this video, need as much support as you can afford to give them.” And the audience, including me, would have willingly donated more money to support Autism Speaks.

 

Instead, the speaker thanked everyone for their support and donations and left the stage.  The moment passed, the audience regained its composure and the “window of opportunity” closed.

 

Unfortunately, the same thing happens to Team Leaders throughout each day of their work week. “Windows of opportunity” occur daily as they interact with Team Members, other Team Members, customers and vendors.  However, trained to be in constant performance mode – head down and focused on grinding out the day’s tasks –, Team Leaders are too busy to see them.  And, like the Autism Speak presenter, they miss the opportunity to create greater value by failing to recognize the opportunity even exists.  

 

Fortunately, this is a mindset issue because every interaction with Team Members and other stakeholders can provide a “window of opportunity.” But the “window of opportunity” is there only if Team Leaders actively look for it and are then willing to expend the time and attention necessary to react positively to the opportunity. 

 

Here are examples of “windows of opportunity” that occur every day as Team Leaders interact with their Team Members:

 

  • The opportunity to offer assistance without being asked.
  • The opportunity to recognize an achievement.
  • The opportunity to encourage.
  • The opportunity to inspire.
  • The opportunity to communicate.
  • The opportunity to empower.
  • The opportunity to train.
  • The opportunity to develop.
  • The opportunity to coach.

 

There is no doubt, because of the increased anxiety caused by the pandemic and its impact on the economy, it has become even more important for Team Leaders’ to recognize these, and other “windows of opportunity”, and react positively, in the moment, if they want to maintain a High-Performance Work Team.  

 

“What ‘window of opportunity’ did you keep open today?” is a question every Team Leader  should be able to answer at the end of every day.