When it comes to developing employees, what type of teaching method works best? Whether your approach is “more carrot and less stick,” “patient vs impatient” or “empathetic vs intellectual,” one size typically does not fit all. The exception to the rule is when your employee keys into their true purpose at work and becomes self-motivated to achieve. Let me give you an example…
The real goal vs stated goal
Two weeks ago, I wrote about my favorite student who is visually impaired and is learning how to ski. Being blind is no joke when it comes to heading down a mountain with boards strapped to your feet. If you don’t think it’s such a big deal, try running down a mountain trail for 200 yards with your eyes closed. This young girl is simply amazing and is achieving new goals with each passing day. Last Saturday, I asked the question, “What would you like to do today” and she responded, “I want to fly!”
Lock into purpose and ability will flourish
“Help me better understand what you mean?” I replied… She then responded, “I want to do less pizza slice turns and more French Fry turns.” “Oh, so you want to go fast and feel like you are flying. That totally makes sense. Let’s get you flying today!” I said. And that’s when the magic happened…
Self-limiting beliefs are self-limiting
Nobody has ever told this 11-year-old girl that she couldn’t fly. By her definition, the feeling of flying was akin to zipping down a mountain by herself with the wind blowing in her face experiencing total freedom. On our last run of the day, she skied like a seagull in the air, making a few turns but mostly letting the skis run parallel and FAST. By locking into purpose, she almost immediately achieved breakthrough results. I simply said “have fun and steer your skis down the mountain. I’ll keep you safe and tell you if you need to turn so don’t work about any obstacles.” We captured this last run on video, me following from behind with camera, watching potential being transformed into ability. The magical ability to achieve resides inside each of us and the key is to figure out how to unlock it!
How can this apply to your company and employees?
Assuming you’ve done a great job hiring employees that believe in the purpose (mission) of your company and they are excited about contributing as an important team member, the transference of this principle from mountain to workplace is simple…. Lock your employees into realizing their potential by asking the simple question, “What does true purpose and success look/feel like to you and the team and how can you go about achieving it?” When employees are motivated to bring their best selves to work each day, the results will immediately show. The inverse is true too!