Why It Works

Sometimes what will work for one person or team will not work for another. People are often perplexed by this. I believe they have missed the crucial point of being successful. All involved have to know a positive outcome is possible.

If the belief is not carried by the majority of a team, the best plan will never work at peak performance. Even if leadership is doubtful, a good lead or supervisor can make something work if they rally their team to believe.

I used to do this by giving my team a challenge. I would show up wearing a lovely silk tie, tell the team that I had to wear it until a new daily quota was met, and the day we hit that quota, they could cut it off me.

Within the week, we hit over the needed units, the team gathered around, and pictures were taken as the tie was cut in half. The goal was met, and everyone felt better. It gave them a focus on doing what I knew they could. It is amazing what an old silk tie and a pair of scissors can do to boost morale and get something done.

What would you do to inspire your team and make a difference in their output?

Author: Mike Balof

A retired Air Force Master Sergeant, Mike used to lay in bed at night and worry about what would happen if his plant closed or found himself without a job. One day his plant closed. Rather than panic and hysteria (OK, maybe a little) Mike found himself carried away on the adventure of his life. Mike started with the best job he ever had working at Home Depot. He spent 8 years working with job seekers at a local workforce center, helping them to find employment. He then started his own company developing courses, writing books and urging others to follow their own paths into the future. Mike holds a Master of Arts in Adult Education and Training and a Bachelor of Business Management, earned through the University of Phoenix and an AAS degree in Electronics Systems Technology from the Community College of the Air Force. Mike is a member of the Delta Mu Delta Business Honor Society. View all posts by Mike Balof