A small, but helpful tactic we love in workshops is the idea of Dogpiling.

Yes, dogpiling.

A very technical, very scientific strategy we came up with when Nick and I first started hosting workshops together nearly 10 years ago.

Here’s the scoop on how it works—You’re in room of really smart people, and you think of something smart to say and you start to look for a tiny gap in the conversation. Finally, an opportunity appears, you start to speak—just as someone else says the thing you just were about to say.

So, you sink down into your chair a little bit, deflated, waiting for your next moment to say something smart.

Unless….unless you dogpile onto their idea, and raise your finger in the air to say “you know, I completely agree.” 🙋

Something magic happens. Two other people chime in and say “I was just thinking the exact same thing!” 🙋🙋

Suddenly, that one idea has momentum—there is alignment, agreement! And you helped start it! 🏃🏃🏃

Ok, so it’s not rocket science. But making this practice the norm in your workplace can change the tone dramatically. It can be the first small change to bring together a culture of collaboration.

So raise your hands, and say “Yes, I totally agree!” 🙌 🐕 🐩 🐶

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Illustration credit: Monday Miller here at Saint Friend