I like putting jigsaw puzzles together. 
Here’s my strategy:
- Pick a picture I like. Know that I am choosing the challenge, choosing to play the game.
- Put the frame together by assembling all the edge pieces. I touch every piece and only pull out the ones with flat edges. My focus is the to build the border.
- Sort pieces into groups – faces, animals, words, colors, unique patterns. Putting groups in to smaller containers helps.
- Comb through the pieces and put them together inside of the puzzle.
- Build key parts. These may or may not be connected to the frame.
- Be persistent. Be willing to rearrange pieces, move them from the first spot to the right spot.
- Celebrate success. Acknowledge the accomplishment. (Actually, from moment one, I celebrate each piece that fits!)
I look at the picture on the puzzle box often. It keeps the image of the end result clearly in my mind. It helps me see connections as I randomly flip pieces over. After all, the point is to have what I’m doing end up looking like the picture on the lid.
Putting together the puzzle called “team”
Putting a team together isn’t as simple as a jigsaw puzzle, yet the same principles and strategies work.
| Puzzle | Together With the Team |
| Pick a picture liked. | Generate the future image of what the team will look like, will “be” like, when that future image is real and achieved. Chose to author and play this game, not knowing the challenges to face. |
| Put the frame together. | Specify the end date when the end result will be achieved, with conditions of satisfaction and key milestones. |
| Sort pieces into groups. | Identify needed roles, responsibilities. Define values and behaviors that bring those values to life. Align on practices to support integrating the pieces into daily work. |
| Comb through pieces and put the inside together. | Clarify roles, accountabilities. Address gaps in processes, procedures. Create plans to close the gaps. |
| Build key parts. | Set up structures (weekly, monthly conversations) to move through the Stages of Growth and Development (from formulation into stability). |
| Be persistent. | Identify and provide what’s missing. Transform breakdowns into breakthroughs. Stay in communication. |
| Celebrate. | Acknowledge what’s been created and who you and the team had to be, not just do, to achieve the end result. Ask: With what we’ve created and who we are now, what’s possible? What’s next for us to take on and achieve? |
Putting a team of people together isn’t the same as working with unfeeling, inert pieces. Creating an aligned, collaborative human puzzle takes a very different level of energy, commitment and communication to make it happen. Above all, it takes an aligned stand between the leader and each member of the team.
Need help putting your team puzzle together? Let’s talk.
Thanks for listening.
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