Top
Strengthen and enhance your school support staff
Are you a supporting team member who is tasked with both planning ahead and answering the phone every time it rings? In The Together Teammate, The Together Group Founder and CEO Maia Heyck-Merlin delivers a step-by-step action plan for school and nonprofit behind-the-scenes team members who keep things running smoothly! With clear advice, samples from operations and support roles, reflection questions and modifiable templates, this book will help teammates to strengthen their systems and keep all the trains running on time!
Readers will also find:
A comprehensive and practical guide for anyone who works behind-the-scenes in a mission-driven environment, such as nonprofits, schools, and foundations, The Together Teammate will also prove invaluable for project managers, IT associates, office managers, finance coordinators, executive assistants, chiefs of staff, and anyone who has both proactive and responsive aspects to their roles.
MAIA HEYCK-MERLIN is the Founder and CEO of The Together Group, where she trains educators on time management, efficiency, and more. Previously, Maia served as Chief Talent Officer and Chief Operating Officer for Achievement First, a charter school management organization. She is author of The Together Teacher and The Together Leader.
CHAPTER 1:
INTRODUCTION – The Who, What and Why of Togetherness for Teammates
WHAT IS TOGETHERNESS, ANYWAY?
WHY THIS BOOK MATTERS TO ME
WHO, SPECIFICALLY, THIS BOOK IS FOR
WHY TOGETHERNESS MATTERS BEHIND THE SCENES
TOGETHER TRY-ITS
HOW THIS BOOK IS ARRANGED
HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF THIS BOOK
LET’S GET THE TOGETHER PARTY STARTED!
CHAPTER 2:
Get Crystal Clear -- Roles, Priorities and Targets, Oh My!
WHAT IS YOUR ACTUAL JOB? GET CLEAR ON THE OUTCOMES AND INPUTS
DEFINE SUCCESS IN YOUR TOGETHER TEAMMATE ROLE—SET THOSE PRIORITIES & TARGETS
GET YOUR OWN PRIORITIES IN ORDER
TRACK FOR YOURSELF AND SHARE PROGRESS
YEAR-AT-A-GLANCE – MAP IT ACROSS A CALENDAR
Shelly’s Year-at-a-Glance
Eryn’s Year-at-a-Glance
BUILD YOUR YEAR-AT-A-GLANCE
TURBO TOGETHERNESS
Manager Moment
TOGETHER TOUR
What is your most used Together Tool to keep YOURSELF Together?
¬How do you re-Together yourself when unexpected things pop up?
When is a time you had to adjust your Togetherness practices and why?
How do you handle working with colleagues who are slightly less than Together?
Why does Togetherness matter to you at work and at home?
Together Teammate Self-Assessment: Consider your current organizational tools, habits, and routines.
CHAPTER 3:
Look Far Forward – Create a Comprehensive Calendar
WHY INVEST IN A LONG-TERM CALENDAR?
COMPREHENSIVE CALENDAR SAMPLES
SELECT A CALENDAR TOOL
BUILD YOUR OWN COMPREHENSIVE CALENDAR
[optional for those who want to get ahead now] Make sure the Meetings are in Place
HOW TO USE YOUR COMPREHENSIVE CALENDAR
TURBO TOGETHERNESS
CHAPTER 4:
Build a Long-Term List – Yup, This is Everything!
WHY KEEP A LONG-TERM LIST
LONG-TERM LIST SAMPLES
SELECT YOUR LONG-TERM LIST TOOL
BUILD YOUR LONG-TERM LIST
ROUTINES TO MAKE USE OF YOUR LONG-TERM LIST
TURBO TOGETHERNESS
MANAGER MOMENT
Together Tour
What is your most used Together Tool to keep YOURSELF Together?
¬How do you re-Together yourself when unexpected things pop up?
When is the time you had to adjust your Togetherness practices and why?
How has Togetherness helped you communicate and work with others?
How do you balance the proactive focused part of your job with the reactive tasks that pop up?
How do you handle working with colleagues who are slightly less than Together?
Why does Togetherness matter to you at work and at home?
CHAPTER 5:
BREAK DOWN THE BIG STUFF -- PROJECT PLANNING
DETERMINE WHAT NEEDS A PROJECT PLAN — AND WHAT DOESN’T!
CREATE A PROJECT SUMMARY
Project Name: Dean’s Excellence in Research Awards
PROJECT PLAN SAMPLES
BUILD YOUR PROJECT PLAN
COMMUNICATE ABOUT THE PROJECT WITH OTHERS
PLAN FOR THE UNEXPECTED BECAUSE IT ALWAYS HAPPENS – TRUST ME
INTEGRATE WITH YOUR TOGETHER TOOLS
TURBO TOGETHERNESS
Chapter 5: Manager Moment
CHAPTER 6:
Fill with Staples, Make Room for Snacks – Build a Weekly Worksheet
THE PURPOSE OF PLANNING FOR A WEEK
COMPONENTS OF A WEEKLY WORKSHEET
WEEKLY WORKSHEET SAMPLES
PERSONALIZE YOUR WEEKLY WORKSHEET TOOL(S)
PRACTICE A BUILD OUT YOUR FIRST WEEKLY WORKSHEET
PUT YOUR WEEKLY WORKSHEET INTO ACTION
TURBO TOGETHERNESS
CHAPTER 7:
Host a Meeting with Yourself – and Prep for the Week Ahead!
MEETING WITH YOURSELF: THE WHY
MEETING WITH MYSELF CHECKLIST SAMPLES
Weekly planning checklist
BUILD YOUR OWN MEETING WITH MYSELF CHECKLIST
CREATE THE CONDITIONS TO SUCCESSFULLY MEET WITH YOURSELF
COMMUNICATING AFTER YOUR MEETING WITH MYSELF
TURBO TOGETHERNESS
Manager Moment
Together Tour
What is your most used Together Tool to keep YOURSELF Together?
¬How do you re-Together yourself when unexpected things pop up?
When is a time you had to adjust your Togetherness practices and why?
How has Togetherness helped you communicate and work with others?
How do you handle working with colleagues who are slightly less than Together?
Why does Togetherness matter to you at work and at home?
PUT IT ALL TOGETHER: BUILD YOUR TOGETHER TOOLS
CUSTOMIZE YOUR OWN TOGETHER SYSTEM
CHAPTER 8:
GET THOSE INBOXES IN CHECK – SET UP YOUR DIGITAL LIFE!
SET UP YOUR INBOXES FOR SUCCESS
Katie’s Outlook Inbox Ready for Action
GET YOUR DIGITAL DOCUMENTS IN ORDER
ALL THAT OTHER DIGITAL CLUTTER
Turbo Togetherness
CHAPTER 9:
Plan for the Pivot – Deal with the Daily Deluge
THE INNOCENT INTERRUPTION
MOVE SWIFTLY THROUGH YOUR INBOX(ES)
SYSTEMATICALLY CAPTURE INCOMING NEW REQUESTS
PAUSE TO PLAN YOUR PIVOT – AND THEN COMMUNICATE
TURBO TOGETHERNESS
Manager Moment
Together Tour
What is your most used Together Tool to keep YOURSELF Together?
¬How do you re-Together yourself when unexpected things pop up?
When is a time you had to adjust your Togetherness practices and why?
How has Togetherness helped you communicate and work with others?
How do you balance the proactive focused part of your job with the reactive tasks that pop up?
How do you handle working with colleagues who are slightly less than Together?
Why does Togetherness matter to you at work and at home?
CHAPTER 10:
Craft Clear Communications – To Move Others to Action
WHAT METHODS DOES YOUR ORGANIZATION USE TO COMMUNICATE?
WRITE YOUR MESSAGES WITH A BIAS TOWARD RESULTS
SEND THE NEWSLETTERS, MEMOS AND NOTES—OH, MY!
Wister’s Weekly Newsletter
TURBO TOGETHERNESS
MANAGER MOMENT
CHAPTER 11:
Make the Most of your Meetings– Before, During and After
GET CLEAR ON YOUR ROLE IN EACH MEETING YOU ATTEND
MAKE THE MOST OF MEETINGS WITH YOUR MANAGER
MANAGE MEETINGS FOR A GROUP OR TEAM
Wednesday: May 11, 2022
Note Taker: Elizabeth
PLANNING FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL MEETINGS – AND NOT JUST TODAY’S!
TAKE NOTES IN MEETINGS – AND OWN THE FOLLOW-UP
BE THE MEETING MANAGER: OWN THE MEETING START TO FINISH
TURBO TOGETHERNESS
Manager Moment
CHAPTER 12:
Peek Around the Bend—Forecasting into the Future!
SUPPORTING OTHERS TO FORECAST
Kendra’s Pre-Vacation Forecast
SUPPORT STAKEHOLDERS WITH FORECASTING
TURBO TOGETHERNESS
Together Tour
What is your most used Together Tool to keep YOURSELF Together?
¬How do you re-Together yourself when unexpected things pop up?
When is a time you had to adjust your Togetherness practices and why?
How has Togetherness helped you communicate and work with others?
How do you balance the proactive focused part of your job with the reactive tasks that pop up?
How do you handle working with colleagues who are slightly less than Together?
Why does Togetherness matter to you at work and at home?
CHAPTER 13:
Systems Spotting – If You See Something, Say Something!
TURN UP YOUR SYSTEMS ANTENNAE
TURN PAIN POINTS INTO SMOOTH SYSTEMS
CREATE SYSTEMS TO SUPPORT OTHER HUMANS
Shannon’s Supply Order Form
THE CALL TO CODIFY – WHY?
TURBO TOGETHERNESS
Manager Moment
CHAPTER 14:
Own the Outcomes: Take Charge, Especially When You are Not the Boss!
WHAT IS OWNING THE OUTCOME AND WHY DOES IT MATTER?
ASK QUESTIONS TO CLEAR THE COBWEBS (AKA GET CLEAR ON THE OUTCOME)
TRACK PROGRESS TOWARD THE OUTCOME
TURBO TOGETHERNESS
MANAGER MOMENT
TOGETHER TEST
CHAPTER 15:
Togetherness is a Journey, Not a Destination
RECALL THE MEANING OF YOUR WORK
WALK THE TOGETHERNESS PATH WITH OTHERS
YOU ARE NOW A TOGETHER TEAMMATE! (YOU PROBABLY ALREADY WERE)
Total Together Tours
GOODBYE, BE WELL AND BE TOGETHER
The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.
The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.
Need Help? Copyright © 1999-2026
