“I really have to find a way to motivate my team,” said Andrea. “Sometimes they are so slow, I just want to scream.”
“Andrea, have you ever heard of Home Field Advantage in sports?” I asked.
“Well, yes. I know it is important, especially in the playoffs.”
“So, what are the real differences for a home team? Is the field any different? Are the rules any different? Is the ball any different?”
“No.” Andrea thought for a minute, then continued. “The crowd, the cheering crowd. The home team usually has a crowd cheering for them.”
“Do you think people perform better when they have a cheering crowd around them?” I asked.
“Of course. It’s kind of like showing off for your Mom.”
“Andrea, here is the bad news. As a manager, you cannot motivate anyone to do anything. Your only play is to create an environment where your team’s performance is like showing off for your Mom.” -TF
I definitely agree with this article. I try to create a comfortable atmosphere with “math” team spirit. I generally have large classes where only as a team can the group be successful.
Berniceh,
You have learned a valuable lesson with your class. People may individually excel, but much more ground can be gained as a team working together. I would be curious to learn of one of your designs where teams can only be successful when working together.