*This blog post was originally posted to wheremyheadis.net on 11/13/2019 (Pre-Pandemic)
The first value we learned from the Agile Manifesto is to value “individuals and interactions over processes and tools”. Now I could go on about my feeling on tools, but I want to focus on the first part. How do you focus on the people? I discovered something while traveling and working with my European counterparts about how to “DO” this. It is called “Fika”. It is also simply known as the Swedish coffee break. To them, it’s part of life, no big deal. But after my first experience, I knew something was different in my mindset, but didn’t get what it was. Coming home and “getting coffee” with some of my team in US, it hit me like a ton of Swedish fish. Fika is not about the coffee or the break. It is about taking time to slow down and appreciate your surroundings. Doing this with a team of people allows you to drop the work façade and interact as people. This builds empathy and trust and will absolutely trickle back into team dynamics and performance. You notice that you start building different bonds with people. For me, it was one of those moments when once you see it, you can’t stop seeing it. I love it. I challenge anyone to start a fika with your colleagues, your team, friends, family, or by yourself, and see where it leads. I know the touchy-feely part has been hard to break through with some of my teams in US, but cracks are showing. So simple, So human, so Powerful, and so Swedish. What do you do in your teams to show the value in people and interactions?
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