People love the feeling that comes from achieving something. It doesn’t matter whether it is hard or easy to complete the task; it is the act of completing something allows access to this feeling. Unfortunately, in the absence of achievement, we substitute other activities in an attempt to tap into the feeling. This is when leaders will notice a variety of games and counter-productive activities that make achievement even more difficult. The good news is that the solution is both simple and elegant.
What if all the games and counter-productive behaviors in your conference call meetings were viewed simply as an unresolved desire to accomplish something meaningful? Sam Adams, creator of Dilbert, has made us laugh and cry about the antics of the workplace. Yet, what if it is that simple? What if the only thing your team needs is consistent access to the feeling that comes from achievement?
Question:
How many unfinished projects (and tasks) do you currently have on your plate?
Make a list of the ones in your business life first and then your personal life. If you have a high number of items on your list, welcome to the human race! Most people are surprised by how many items are on their list. Now imagine how long the list is for each member of your team. Get the picture here? Welcome to the leader’s quagmire!
Despite what everyone says about starting January 1st with a clean slate, you do not. You and your team have this backlog of things to do and projects that are incomplete. Imagine how much could get done if no backlog of tasks existed!
The solution is to take baby steps to get things done each and every meeting you have. You can’t make your team clean up their list yet you can offer them an oasis in the desert of overwhelm created from too many incomplete projects and tasks. Make part of each meeting you lead dedicated to celebrating completed projects and tasks, as well as setting clear expectations for things to be completed in the future. It is the feeling of achievement you are looking for here – not the size of the accomplishment.
Look back at the meetings you found productive and you’ll find at least one clear feeling present – the feeling of accomplishment and movement toward a specific target or goal. Bring this same feeling into your meetings and people will flock to be a part of what you are doing.
In my previous post, I talked about New Year’s Evolutions rather than setting resolutions. This is one example of an “evolution” that will make your life great!
Posted by Byron Van Arsdale
Twitter: @headset
Author – 19 Best Practices of Teleclass Leadership
ConferenceCallTraining.com
Web 2.0 tools continue to give people an easy method to influence others through the expression of opinions, facts, pictures, and videos. This trend is growing and presenters, trainers, and leaders need to be fully aware of what is happening in your face-to-face and virtual meetings. People are no longer talking behind your back, they are electronically talking right in front of you. And, you’d better start listening!