Motivation = Success OR Motivation is a prerequisite for success.
This is the way the relationship between motivation and success is usually represented. Motivated individuals succeed. Managers need to focus on motivation first in order to lead their team to success. I can think of multiple examples of teams working on a Safety Improvement Program, Reliability Effort, or Maintenance Turnaround/Shutdown plan and it always seemed that we were looking for a way to motivate our groups.
Motivation is, at best, elusive and difficult to conjure. Think of a pep rally – lots of excitement sure, but focus? Not so much. Motivation without a clear objective can lead a team to wander off scope. As a leader or supervisor this was a constant challenge that I experienced.
Here is another interesting thought:
Success influences or can cause Motivation. Teams that have a success can use that success as a catalyst for motivation. The initial success serves as a compass or a “map” if you will toward team cohesion, focus and motivation. At a very fundamental level I believe that everyone wants to be successful… some individuals may put more effort in than others. Even the most negative of the “Grumblers” will embrace success.
How can we provide a catalyst? One idea is success in solving problems. Root Cause Analysis and more specifically Cause Mapping can provide a simple method to jump start a team.
Another key element is Positive Recognition of success. And that means acknowledgement of the team! As a Root Cause Analysis facilitator you must be sensitive to the fact that management may look to you as the “Problem Solver”. It is essential that you keep management focused on the team. A simple e-mail posted in a common area can be “good enough”. Prizes or rewards can actually trivialize the effort.
As a starting place or jumping off point pick an issue that is reoccurring and has attention. The chronic issues can often times be more of a challenge for the Root Cause Analysis Facilitator. Success in solving a problem that was widely thought to be a “necessary evil” or, “something we just have to work around” can be a huge catalyst for team motivation.
If you tackle a Chronic Issue and need assistance contact ThinkReliability. We will help you and provide support. For workshop attendees this is free of charge. If you are just being introduced to Cause Mapping contact us anyway; we’ll give advice and get you started.
“Success precedes motivation, and once children see they can be successful, they will participate; thus, teachers must engineer success.” from Classrooms that Work by Patricia Cunningham & Richard Allington (geared to 4th & 5th grade English reading).
Don’t forget some of the basic lessons we learned in grade school!
Cheers,
Loyd.
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