“Your observation was that your production team seemed disconnected,” I said. “In spite of your pep talks, they shuffle.”
Suzette nodded. “I thought it was me, that I wasn’t doing a good job of motivating the team.”
“Motivation, engagement, is not about pep talks,” I smiled. “Motivation is not about pizza, or bonuses. Motivation is knowing that what I do is part of something bigger. It’s knowing where I fit in a larger picture. Don’t talk about it. Show the team, so they can see it.”
“Don’t they see it?” Suzette complained. “We make a really great product for our customers. Our customers are thankful, give us positive testimonials. As the manager, I get a strong sense of the impact of what we do. But the production team seems bored, just going through the motions. Two quit only last week. I try to give them pep talks in our team huddle every morning, but they break the huddle and shuffle back to their work station.”
“You have your answer,” I replied.
“What do you mean?” she drew back.
“Your question. You asked a question. ‘Don’t they see it?’ Obviously, they don’t.” I chuckled.
“Well, of course they don’t see it,” Suzette was emphatic. “I was talking about my pep talk. How can I change my pep talk?”
“You could drop it,” I suggested. “Drop the pep talk. What you say has no impact. It’s what they see. How can you show them?”