Module 2 Overview
Before the 100-day clock begins, your work as the Challenge Strategist happens behind the scenes. This roadmap guides you through the transition from Preparing the track to Team Activation.
Podcast
Click here to listen to a Challenge Strategist and Coach discussing the mission and tasks this week.
The Big Picture
The Start-up Workshop is the launchpad for your 100-Day Challenge. It is the critical moment where the frontline team comes together, takes ownership of the challenge, and negotiates their “unreasonable” 100-day goal. To succeed, you must ensure that the leadership is aligned.
The Roadmap
As the Challenge Strategist, you still have important roles to play, even though you are not carrying the baton during the next few weeks.
Week Minus 2:
The Pre-sprint Check
In the GBVF context, collaboration often fails due to “siloed” departments. This week, you and the coach must ensure that representatives from all the organisations and departments aren’t just invited, but prepared.
Key Action: Finalise and send the Challenge note, the formal invitation to the 100-Day Team. As a Challenge Strategist, you need to ensure that the managers of the selected team are briefed, especially if the managers did not attend the Leadership Session.
Week Minus 1:
The Rehearsal
The Coach is preparing to facilitate a high-stakes workshop that requires more than just a slide deck; it requires a mindset.
Key Action: Meet with the Coach to prepare for the Workshop’s Opening and Closing sessions. They will share with you questions you may receive from the team. Prepare to respond in a way that strengthens the enabling environment you are creating for the team.
Week 1:
The Start-up
The 100 days officially begin. This is the most intense week for the Coach, where theory becomes practice. The Challenge Strategist plays a key role at the start and end of the Workshop but do not attend the full session.
Key Action: Attend the beginning and end of the Team Start-up Workshop. Your presence alone signals that this work is a priority. Lead with Curiosity: Instead of giving orders, ask the team questions like: “I noticed you set a goal of 80%—tell me how you arrived at that number?” This reinforces their ownership of the project.
- The Kick-off: Open the Start-up Workshop to deliver the opening charge.
- The Goal Reveal Return at the end of the workshop to hear the team’s “Stretch Goal” and offer your blessing.
After the workshop, prepare a note to the leaders that updates them on the team’s 100-Day Goal and highlights from their 100-Day Plan.
Your Action Checklist
Alignment: Ensure the Leaders and the “Team” are on the same page. You are confirming that the designated team members will attend the Start-up Workshop,
Confidence: Prepare for your part during the Kick-off and Goal Reveal sections of the Workshop.
What's Next?
Review the Guides and Deep Dives to help you prepare for the Start-up Workshop and the important task of briefing the other leaders after the Workshop. Some of them may have been at the start-up, but you need to update all the leaders who collaborated on designing the Challenge. Keep the team and leaders aligned to prevent roadblocks, it is your key priority.
