How do you hardwire new behaviors into your team to support a thriving culture?
That was the question we worked to answer in an afternoon workshop with a group of leaders in the agriculture financing industry. As leaders, we are tempted to think of all the extra things our teams and we need to know, feel and do to lead change and the future we are trying to build.
In this session, however, we took a counterintuitive approach. We focused on removing all the friction, obstacles, beliefs and behaviors that were standing in the way of the capable leaders they are, able to build the culture they want to create.
This is easier said that done! Neuroscientists say that our brains are wired for the addition of new alternatives and not for finding solutions by subtracting what isn't working. However, new research from Nature Reviews Psychology Journal found that focusing on easing and removing obstacles rather than targeting behavior modifications such knowledge and beliefs is more effective in producing changed behavior and results.
The leaders left with tools and strategies to:
Remove the resisting energy in the way of creativity
Remove the self-doubt in the way of leading by their values
Remove the “compare and despair” in the way speaking up and using their unique talents
Remove the friction, obstacles and processes in the way of helping their teams move forward
Use good coaching questions to inspire their teams to choose action over hesitation
The bottom line was this: The key to making a lasting leadership impact is through subtraction, not addition.
What lasting processes, approvals, checkpoints, habits, etc, could be derailing changes or desired behaviors? How can you "prime your environment" for more success by removing the friction keeping people from taking action?
Success loves clarity. As a leader, consider this: What if you don't need to add anything to get the impact and results you want? Could you start with removing everything preventing them?
(Is your team looking for professional development this fall? See Kelli's topics here. I can customize something for you!)
PUT THIS IDEA INTO ACTION
Columbia University & London Business School conducted a surprising study that revealed just how much your environment impacts your behavior. Environment design proves that our choices and preferences can be crafted by the environment around us. We don't need to be motivated or incentivized to take action — we simply need to be surrounded by the right cues (and removal of obstacles and friction)
One of the most frequent questions I get about writing my book is this: How did you find the time? Here's the thing, I DIDN'T find the time. I said no to other commitments to clear up room in my calendar to create room for this important goal. I set up an environment that made it easier to write - like leaving my laptop, outline and notes out and ready when I'd schedule writing time.
What could you improve in your life or in your career right now, not through addition, but subtraction?
What idea could you improve?
How could your team run more efficiently?
How could your message be more impactful?
Here are a few questions to ask:
What is the ultimate goal of this project / message / campaign?
What activities are creating friction, not value, thus making an impact or results harder to achieve?
What feels of dread? What drains my/my team's energy?
Based on the above, what do I need to subtract from this project / message / campaign?
TRY THIS NEXT: What's the ONE THING, if streamlined and done well, will create the biggest transformation? (How are you channeling resources into this?)
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