#52 Take time to learn from each other. Have regular lunch & learns and have someone on your team present about subjects that matter to them.

I constantly observe my team as they talk about things outside of our jobs. You’d be amazed at the insight you can gain listening to your employees talk about the latest book, TV show, movie, cool web site or social media tool, trends, celebrity break-up, social event or volunteer project. Often, our schedule is too hectic to have in-depth conversations and really dig-in to each other’s interests. But, it’s important to us. So, we schedule a monthly lunch to share our latest interests and hobbies with each other. This provides a great opportunity to launch discussions and learn about various topics that otherwise might go un-discussed. As a manager, you get to hear and learn more about what makes your team tick. You give others a chance to be the center of attention, work on presentation skills, learn new technologies, or simply take the lead. There are no limits to presentation methods – it could be as simple as coloring in a coloring book as a group, doing a craft project together, playing Play-Doh, or learning exercise and relaxation techniques that be used during the workday.

Whatever the size of your firm, be sure to schedule time to talk about stuff other than the subjects of your normal day. If you are a sole-proprietor, get some buddies together quarterly and do it – maybe over video chat. How you do it is not the important part. Learning and sharing knowledge is the key.

Try it, and tell us how it goes!