Begin and end

As the leader you have a ceremonial role.

Your team instinctively look to you for some words at the beginning and end of things.

That makes these times the perfect chance to nurture the focus, alignment and momentum of your agency.

There are the bigger times, like the beginning and ends of projects or other milestones.

But there are also the small times.

Even just the beginning and end of each week.

I encourage founders I work with to ‘bookend’ the week.

Send a message to the team each Monday morning setting the ‘vibe’ for the week. Big things to focus on, reminders of key events, what you’re all aiming for, or how you all want to work, and why that’s important.

Then send a message on Friday to wrap up the week. Share agency and team news and progress. Celebrate achievements and little things you noticed that were great. Join some dots from your Monday email.

Keep it brief, but above all keep it consistent. Every week.

Don’t think you need to be powerfully inspirational like some Ted talk or an awful LinkedIn post.

Just write in a way that’s human, real — talking directly to your colleagues about what’s important this week.

You’ll be amazed how this mini ceremony of beginning and ending the week serves to build a sense of cohesion and momentum over time.

You could even begin it right now.