Don't Be Afraid of Change - Part Two

Last issue, we discussed change and the anxiety it can produce. This month, I'd like to relate a story to help illustrate our resistance to change. Consider this scenario:

Scientists place five monkeys in a cage. Suspended from the roof of the cage is a large bunch of ripe bananas. Inside the cage are many boxes. After several minutes of staring at the bananas, the monkeys begin to stack the boxes in order to reach them.

Each time any of the monkeys tries to stack the boxes, the researchers spray all of the monkeys with a high-pressure hose. This continues until all monkeys stop trying to reach the bananas. Once all five monkeys have been thoroughly conditioned, Phase Two begins.

The scientists replace one original monkey with a newcomer. Upon seeing the bananas, the sixth monkey begins to stack boxes and is immediately attacked by the remaining "trained" monkeys. No water is sprayed, but the remaining monkeys still won't let the newcomer try for the bananas.

Once the newcomer is trained, the scientists replace another monkey. Again, the newcomer is attacked each time it tries to reach the bananas. Even the sixth monkey takes part in the attack, even though it has never been sprayed.

This continues until all five original monkeys have been replaced. No replacement monkeys have ever been sprayed to keep them away from the bananas. Yet, even with 5 monkeys who have never been punished for stacking boxes now in the cage, none of them will try for the bananas. Why?

Because that' the way it's always been done around here!

Ask yourself how this relates to your current workplace? Are there any "bananas" that your workforce refuses to acknowledge for fear of being sprayed with ridicule or slapped with the "rule book"? Have you ever heard "because that's just the way it's done around here" as an excuse for not changing?

No system is so perfect that it cannot stand some improvement. But, if you've trained your staff to be a bunch of banana-hating monkeys, you run the real risk of stagnating while your competition moves forward.

Resource Review

Organization - SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives)

Established in 1964 by the gathering of numerous volunteer mentoring programs into one organization and funded by the Small Business Administration, SCORE has helped thousands get their start in the business world. Check their web site for local chapter info, and for information on business success.

www.score.org
1-800-634-0245

Quick Tip - Celebrate Success

Often, in our fervor to improve business, we can forget to acknowledge the successes our employees achieve. Remember to take time to "catch someone doing it right" and praise them for it. If that praise comes in front of others, so much the better. This positive reinforcement encourages similar behavior, not only from the employee being praised, but from the entire staff. The team can see that good performance is appreciated and acknowledged.

You've Got Questions

Q. - What's the best way to acknowledge positive behavior?

A. - There's no single answer to this question. What may work in your company may not work as well in another. In fact, what worked for you last year may not work today. Be that as it may, I've asked Eva to offer a few ideas:

1. Lunch on the Boss Day - Take a high-performer to lunch on you. Let them pick the restaurant (within reason) and don't rush back to the office.

2. Collectible Coins - These can be brand new proofs or old coins with important dates, and are available in a broad price range.

3. An Afternoon of Fun - Give the employee some extra time off, hopefully when they can use it with their family. Let them know you appreciate all the time they've spent away from their loved ones by giving a little back.

4. Reward an entire crew - If your award recipient is a supervisor, why not reward their entire work group? This can help motivate entire group of people while making their boss look pretty good in their eyes.

Thoughts for the Day:

In the spirit of the holiday season,
I offer this one thought:

one world - one people
one spirit - one message
Live in Harmony
Lane Baldwin - 1996

End of Solutions V2003 #8, A Publication of:
Lane Baldwin Business Solutions
Our business is improving yours.™

Copyright by Lane Baldwin Business Solutions, 2003. Reprinting or republication of Solutions is prohibited without prior approval.

^ Top of Page ^