Strategies for a Successful Elephant Stomping Group

Elephant-stomping groups are a proven method to putting an end to the toxic workplace, getting more done and creating excitement about work again. Essentially, these groups are leadership forums that assist people and teams to deliver better results by enhancing their ability to use the tools highlighted in this book.

What results can we expect as we participate in elephant-stomping groups?

Synergies will increase as people form a common language in their leadership efforts. The tools and strategies in this book make their way deep into the workplace, allowing people and teams to execute strategies faster. As the Wellness Culture grows, results accelerate and the bottom line improves.

How many people should be in each elephant-stomping group?

It is best to create teams consisting of three to eight people. This allows everyone to have a voice; the small number also is conducive to generating breakthrough synergies.

Who should be included in each group?

You can approach this in one of three ways.

• All or part of an entire team that is already functioning well—and that wants to create even greater results—can use this format.
• Elephant-stomping groups are a proven vehicle to break down the walls between people and departments—walls that create safe havens for elephants. We encourage you to invite people with whom you want to build stronger rela tionships. As these relationships grow stronger, elephants flee the premises.
• You can also invite respected peers from other organiza tions, peers you want to serve and develop a relationship with.

How often should the elephant-stomping groups meet?

Weekly meetings are the most popular and effective format. Numerous organizations, however, create stellar results hosting the meetings bimonthly or monthly. On average, the meetings last forty five minutes to one hour. Most groups meet four to eight times. Some organizations leverage this process so well that the elephant-stomping groups meet continuously. In these cases, they periodically shuffle participants and con sistently rotate business applications.

Is this just a book study format?

No. Simply put, the elephant busting groups are designed to help you do your business—better. This book, Stomp the Elephant in the Office, and the leadership tools within it are a support mechanism to that end; therefore, meeting moder ators will assign specific pages or sections for participants to read in advance.

What do the group meetings look like?

What follows is a basic sample agenda. For additional meeting agendas view our Free Elephant-Stomping Handbook

• Meeting Opener: Where have we seen leadership that has eliminated elephants in our area lately—and allowed us to get more done?
• Where have we been executing our strategies effectively?
• How have we been achieving that?
• From the recommended reading, what portions do you feel were most important?
• Where can we apply that information in our own operations?
• How can we best do that?
• Where in our operations do you feel we can develop a stronger Wellness Culture? Where do elephants currently reside in our organization (or meetings, projects . . .)?
• How can we apply the information from the selection we read to eliminate the elephant in this area?
• How will eliminating the elephant in this area allow us to execute our strategies more effectively?
• What additional and important outcomes will we generate by taking leadership action in this area?
• Are there places where we can or should replicate the successes we identified earlier?
• What do we want to achieve before our next elephant-stomping group meeting?
• Why is achieving the above important?
  
  

  Optional
  

• Where have we been applying these tools with our families?
• What sorts of results are we creating?
• How can we create an even stronger culture at home?