I have team building clients who don’t know where they’re going, they’re not sure how to get there, but they know they want to be there. They’ve been told that they should do some team building and so they contact me. One of my first questions to that client will be about goals. What is their team building motivation?
Take a look at the picture on this great blog. What do you see? Do you see linear process or a problem solved? Of course not. But I bet you see something that makes you smile and makes you want to jump on the bike and pedal. I see brilliance, because now I can get my aerobics and create something beautiful at the same time! I also feel motivated; this picture makes me want to pedal.
Team Building Motivation and Values
Jump on the bike and pedal. That’s the way creativity works. Innovation requires a process that guarantees nothing, other than (metaphorically) that you’ll put some stuff on a blank canvas. When we lead music team building programs we’re doing something similar to the activity in the picture above. We’re doing some group pedaling, through sharing of ideas. And as we share ideas, we’re also creating music; thus providing emotional connection and motivation. Rather than ask an employee to state a company value, we’ll ask that employee to tell a story about how they have experienced or observed a company value in action. That brings the rather dry value statement to life. Songs tell stories and engage our emotions through music and imagery. There’s a reason all of us remember lyrics to many songs. It’s because we’ve internalized the story in the song and it’s imprinted within us emotionally. Can you imagine if you could create a team building song that enables your company message to have the same lasting impact for your employees or your clients?
Engagement, motivation and innovation mix
- When I’m engaged in an activity I am motivated; can’t have one without the other
- When I’m motivated I’m not clock focused – I’m idea focused
- When I’m idea focused I’m playing; sort of like pedaling and creating art on the wall at the same time
- I look at the wall and I see innovation – something different – something I care about
- Sing your values or pedal and draw – that’s worth trying