Square Wheels Haiku on The Passion for Change
The people at the back of the wagon might seem resistant to any imposed changes that management — the wagon pullers — might suggest. But plenty of research has found a large difference in willingness to do things differently when it is your own idea rather than someone else’s. I always summarize that as,
Nobody Ever Washes a Rental Car.
If you take the time to ASK for ideas instead of telling people what needs to be done, you generate more intrinsic motivation and engagement. Extrinsic motivators don’t work well (lots of research showing that!) and ownership and involvement can be powerful motivators.
Don’t think that people in the workplace don’t care. They DO, but they simply may not express it.
So, here is my Square Wheels Haiku on this theme:
The Round Wheels are already in the wagon, and the team can make progress more better faster if they would simply take a moment to recognize different possibilities for getting things done. Teamwork and perspective are keys for innovation and ownership and alignment are keys for implementation.
For the FUN of It!
Dr. Scott Simmerman is a designer of team building games and organization improvement tools. Managing Partner of Performance Management Company since 1984, he is an experienced presenter and consultant.
Connect with Scott on Google+ – you can reach Scott at scott@squarewheels.com
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Scott’s blog on People and Performance is here.
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