Lesson 6: Lead Your Team Through a "Bonfire Moment" | Martin Gonzalez

Many people have fond memories of sitting around a bonfire on a chilly evening, roasting snacks and sharing stories. Something about the informal atmosphere in the glow of the fire, looking up at the stars, and eating messy treats with your hands is disarming. People relax. They start sharing stories with a bit less inhibition or hesitation. When done well, a bonfire gathering results in lingering feelings of connection and camaraderie. In this video lesson, Google DeepMind’s Org Development Lead Martin Gonzalez applies the openness of a bonfire chat to tangible team-building. The Bonfire Moment: A chance for a team to gather around, discuss what’s working about their dynamic, and discard what’s not Guiding your team through a structured reflection helps them have awkward conversations in a safe environment. Invite everyone to approach this workshop with goodwill and interest in improving the team. The Bonfire Moment: A chance for a team to gather around, discuss what’s working about their dynamic, and discard what’s not Guiding your team through a structured reflection helps them have awkward conversations in a safe environment. Invite everyone to approach this workshop with goodwill and interest in improving the team. 4 Blocks for the Workshop 1. Face hard truths. Ask your team: How are you showing up in the work? How do others perceive this? Help everyone uncover their “bad breath zones” (weaknesses they’re oblivious to). 2. Notice hidden dynamics. Ask: How do you like to operate? What motivates you to be here? How can people give you feedback or resolve conflict? What could break up the team? How might we mitigate that? Help everyone write their user guide (a manual of how to work with them). 3. Drop the masks. Ask: What insecurities plague us in the work we do? Do we mask them with optimism, strength, or detachment? Optimism can paper over issues with positivity. Strength can puff us up with past success. Detachment can cause leaders to be absent. These masks can be useful at times. But overwearing them has a dark side. 4. Resolve unspoken issues. Ask: What are our biggest sources of drag, pain, and conflict? How might we approach them? This experience can be exhausting. But it can also leave your team feeling reconnected and hopeful about the future you can build together. © Freethink Media Inc., All Rights Reserved. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Go Deeper with Big Think: ►Become a Big Think Youtube Member Get exclusive classes and early, ad-free access to new releases without leaving Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/@bigthink/membership/ ►Become a Big Think Web Member Get the entire Big Think Class library, premium print issues, live events, and more. https://bigthink.com/membership/ ►Subscribe to Big Think on Substack Get all of your favorite Big Think content delivered to your inbox. https://bigthinkmedia.substack.com/subscribe/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About Martin Gonzalez: Martin Gonzalez is the co-creator of Google’s Effective Founders Project and the co-author of The Bonfire Moment.