25th Anniversary Conference

You might have recently seen photos of the La tête chercheuse team at our very first convention in Punta Cana. We chose this incredible destination to celebrate our 25th anniversary. We believe in the motto “Work hard, play hard”, so this was not only about getting some R&R, but it was a chance to be inspired, to get to know one another, to share ideas, to connect and ultimately, to become better at what we do. Our team has tripled this past year, with most of us working primarily from home.

Gathering outside the office allowed us to break out of our work routine and made it easier to get to know one another. The workshops we offered on vulnerability and trust helped us build even deeper connections.

This was also an opportunity to show our team how much we appreciate them! Given how hot the job market remains, organizations spend a considerable amount of energy to ensure team members do not wander to what they perceive to be greener pastures. The LTC conference was the perfect opportunity to increase employee engagement and boost team spirit.

Here’s a deep dive into our reflection on trust, mindfulness, and achievement.

Trusting one another

Trust, one of the first pillars of our meetings, implies a two-way street between employees and employers. Given the current labour shortage, recognition is an essential catalyst for building a solid sense of trust. To encourage everyone to go further and step out  of their comfort zone, it is essential to foster self-confidence and mutual trust between colleagues. A tip on building this type of deeper connection more quickly: tackle vulnerability head-on.

Reliability is the cornerstone of trust: you must be accountable and be a person of your word. Then, if you stay open, transparent, and easily (and appropriately) communicate what you find difficult and what makes you feel vulnerable, you open the door to dialogue. Everyone’s contribution should, of course, be acknowledged. When people are accepted and respected for who they are, they feel more at ease moving out of their comfort zone. When you align these principles with thoughts, feelings, words, and actions, the team will engage in open and authentic communication.

Being mindful

Given the upheaval of these past few months, mindfulness has become a significant focus: it’s key to helping the employee manage their stress and improve their well-being. A study published in March 2022 by a team of researchers at Laval University revealed that 55% of people working in SMEs were experiencing mental health issues. This percentage is concerning and drives home the importance of being aware of our surroundings, ourselves, and others.

When faced with doubt, complexity, and ambiguity, it is essential to be self-aware and to manage our stress. Our superpower in those tricky situations? Being mindful. Mindfulness happens when we focus on what’s happening around us in the present moment, free of judgment.

And when we are open to and aware of what’s going on, we can be at the top of our game. Knowing that our own purpose is aligned with the organization’s purpose makes decisions more meaningful and creates a feeling of belonging.

Adopting a positive mindset and managing our stress level helps to unlock our energy reserve. It keeps us highly engaged and ready to take on new challenges.

Totally pumped for the year ahead!

Our mission statement for the next few years is to ‘Pursue Our Ambitions’. We shared our three-year strategic plan with our team. When you are transparent and give everyone the chance to contribute to your plan, you get better buy-in and ensure that everyone feels vested in the organization’s growth. This accountability is the driving force behind rolling out your plan.

By ensuring the environment was conducive to gathering honest input and proper planning, the LTC conference was the perfect opportunity to show our team members how their contributions drive our collective success. The connections we built are also more vital than ever!

[1] https://www.ulaval.ca/notre-universite/salle-de-presse/communiques-de-presse/communiques-2022/plus-de-la-moitie-des-personnes-qui-travaillent-dans-une-pme-vivraient-avec-un-probleme-de-sante-mentale