Getting the basics in place

Commence the journey and shape the future. It’s a phrase that invites possibility and momentum. It sparks ideas and encourages us to think about what the year ahead could hold.

We may start the new year aware that our team could work even better together and be full of meaningful intention to make a positive change. This awareness doesn’t always stem from one big problem but might be a feeling that something isn’t quite right; perhaps we’re making things too complex, or we are less aligned than we could be. Often, we know a shift is needed, even if we’re not quite sure what that looks like. Once that initial inspiration settles, what happens when we find ourselves staring at a blank page and asking, “So how do we actually begin?”

At Juniper, we believe that shaping the future doesn’t start with grand plans, but in getting the basics in place: creating simple, practical structures that give us the confidence to take the first steps on a journey.

In previous blogs, we’ve explored how clear strategy empowers teams, the power of collaboration, and the value of curiosity. This blog brings those threads together into a single, practical how-to, starting with creating a simple, workable structure.

Ask questions at the start of the journey

We often have an idea of where we want to be by the end of a quarter or year. Without reflecting on whether our current ways of working will get us there, it’s easy to build plans on unsteady foundations. Addressing this early creates clarity before plans are set in motion.

At Juniper, we make a regular point of asking ourselves these questions in our ‘Team Time’ sessions. Rather than trying to stick rigidly to the plan, we find it helpful to check in regularly and ask questions that help us progress. We often explore things like:

• How are we supporting each other right now?

• Do our ways of working still feel true?

• What does good progress look like this month?

• What is our current capacity, and is there anything on the horizon we haven’t considered?

When undertaking this kind of reflection, it’s important to remember that no answer is wrong. Bringing honest thoughts, feedback, and feelings to the table helps us work better together.

Start with a structure that’s true to you

Continuing the theme of asking questions, the next step is to ask one which often helps us to take the next step on this journey: what’s the minimum structure we need in place to move forward with confidence as a team?

When we struggle to feel prepared, it can often be down to a simple lack of structure. Meetings exist, but without a clear cadence or agenda. Purpose is stated but not consistently used. Time is available but not intentionally spent. When we operate like this, it becomes easy to lose momentum and drift down mismatched paths.

It's not about doing more or working smarter. It’s about giving ourselves a structure we can rely on. One that is replicated weekly, diarised, respected, and designed to work for everyone.

It’s only natural that the flow will change over time, and so it’s worth returning to review this structure periodically. By revisiting some of the questions above as the year gets underway, we can more easily notice what might have become heavy as priorities shift, reflect on what’s still helpful and energising for our team, and identify what might need refining to improve outcomes. What matters most is that this remains a support system, and not a constraint.

Each team’s journey will look different. Making time to notice what’s supporting us and what’s no longer serving us can help us move forward with more clarity, confidence and a renewed sense of purpose.