Setting the Tone
Most of the engineering work I have done has been as a member or lead of a development team. Anywhere between 3 members and 18 members on each team. Having observed numerous teams in operation, I have noticed behaviors that motivate a team and others that undermine motivation. Today, I want to discuss a topic that pulls all motivation from a team.
Being on a team, there are always some sort of leader. Sometimes it's the person with lead in their title, other times it is the assigned person without the title, often there are senior-level engineers that lead aspects of the team, and other times a business representative. No matter the role, those leaders have an influence on how the team operates.
As a member of the leadership group, it is on you to set and manage the tone of the team. If you are often coming into team discussions half awake or completely distracted. These give the team the impression that you are not in it to win it. It is even worse if you come in with an attitude that tells the team you're not excited to be there. This will cause the team members to question how much effort they want to put in for the day. If the leader is there to put in the work and solve the tough problems of the day, the team will want to show up for it and be a part of the progress. The same is true in reverse, the leaders are not interested in putting in the effort, the team will lose interest in pushing forward.
For many teams, standup is the first discussion of the day. This is normally the first chance you have as a lead to set the tone for the day. Think of it as a first impression, but just for the day. As a leader, no matter how you are actually feeling, you must project positivity. If you do it, others will do it. Keep it light, even if the times are dark. Just like mom used to say, "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all." There is no need to fill all the silence on those down days. Let the silence be there; others will fill the void with chatter in your absence. Sharing negativity with the team will spread. Others will latch on to your negativity, then eventually everyone will have it. Most everyone has a reason to complain, you are not there to drag them down as a leader. You are there to bring them up.
The team will mirror what they see in their leaders. No doubt there will be days when it is easier to complain than it is to be positive. It is not easy to fight the urge; mistakes will be made. That is okay. If you keep showing up every day, setting a positive tone for the team. The team will feel positive and respond positively. Resulting in a team that everyone sees as successful.