A quick internet search of the phrase “team building training programs” instantly yields an astonishing maze of over twenty million results. And the spectrum runs from six figure celebrity presentations to one word bumper stickers. For the young readers bumper stickers were the memes of a vanishing era, simple phrases or single words stuck on a shiny metal thing at the front and back of automobiles and were themselves predated by a series of catchy “Burma Shave” signs strung along deserted, two lane roads. Affecting behavior or “motivation” is, perhaps, the most popular theme of team building these days, and untold resources are sunk into getting people shoed up, geared up, and fired up. For many reasons it’s getting harder and harder to accomplish.
While nowhere near that amazing number of twenty million I can personally certify that I have listened to and sat through innumerable events intended to inspire me to change my behavior either for my own personal benefit or some other worthy cause like making more money for the company. I’ve heard great preachers raise the roof with revved up revelations while others have delivered profound bombshells of quiet truth. Eloquent and witty orators have moved me to tears and laughter, made my pulse race to the point of gripping my chair to keep me from bolting from the room to lead some noble crusade, while others caused me to blush from blurting out a loud, “THAT’S RIGHT” or “TELL IT!” in a group of sedate business associates. Yep, I’m that guy. Of course, motivation is worthwhile and a necessary piece of the personal and professional puzzle. But when it comes to spending time and resources toward effectively inspiring ourselves and others perhaps a few bumper stickers or Burma Shave signs along the way would be of significant benefit.
A sign of “Beware Self Deception” might serve us well in the light of the fact that we more readily accept and believe information that dovetails with our preconceived notions. And we just like to hear what we already like. I confess that much of what motivates me is what I’ve already known or thought just wrapped in a new package or presented in a dynamic, different way. Equally influential is the fame and reputation of who is making the delivery. After all, if I’ve seen the presenter on PBS or Sixty Minutes, and they’re rich and famous then what they have to say MUST be valuable to me, right? And not only does their message reaffirm what I already believe, but I buy in deeper because it resonates with what I WANT to believe. Just imagine for a moment you are a senior decision maker contemplating spending big bucks to motivate your team. Now you have to take into consideration that most of your team will be influenced not by the message but by who delivers that message and, furthermore, it will mostly resonate with what the team already believes and what they want to believe. What a minefield of self deception we have to navigate here.
Another beneficial banner might be “Pep Rally Ahead”. Pep rallies are fun and have their place at work. I’ve both attended them and led them professionally. As a presenter, trainer, and lifelong entertainer I enjoy them, and by now I’m an accomplished rally rouser. What’s not to like about an event during which everyone gets excited about common goals and rallies for a win? While there is value in any process that assists in building a winning team let’s not confuse getting excited about a mission with effecting lasting change to accomplish that mission. Pep rallies are much like fireworks: fun displays with dramatic boom, sizzle, and dazzling lights. But inspiration and perspiration and not one and the same. Leadership development and team building are neither quick nor easy. And neither are they sensational or particularly exhilarating. Proof is, indeed, in the pudding just as effective change manifests itself in profit, low employee turnover rates, and customer satisfaction all of which are something to really get excited about. When investing in positive influence and motivation it makes good sense for the buyer to be aware.
Originally published in Beaumont Business Journal, Heat And Humanity Column
