Momentum
is the force or speed of movement that propels us forward, helps us
push through barriers, and keeps us going even when things get tough.
In
sports, momentum is often called "being in the zone." It's the feeling
teams get when performing at their best and everything seems to go their
way. Momentum is a powerful motivator driving us to push harder,
perform better, and ultimately, win.
We often associate positive
momentum with periods of high performance, such as a winning streak.
However, a change of direction can also work wonders for team
motivation.
A precipitating event, like an interception in
football reshapes players' perception of the possible outcome. This
event triggers an emotional reaction that renews optimism and trust.
Science
uses the term psychological momentum to describe "the tendency for an
outcome to be followed by a similar outcome." It not only refers to the
energy and progress but also the emotional change caused by an event
that can alter our competitors’ perceptions, performance, and even the
outcome.
The problem is when teams get caught up in inertia.
Imagine
a football team that, despite having skilled players and a competent
coach, finds itself on a losing streak. The players are disheartened,
the coach is frustrated, and the fans are distraught – everyone feels
disappointed.
Nobody knows how to break the cycle. The players
lose faith in their abilities, the coach questions his strategies, and
the fans blame everyone.
So, how can they break free from team inertia?
There are two ways: a big bang or baby steps.
Many
leaders want to make sweeping changes all at once using a "big bang"
approach. However, this approach fails to change behavior and makes
things worse.
Instead, building momentum through small wins and
continuous experimentation can be more effective, as research shows.
When people experience progress toward a goal, they become more
interested in it and put in more effort.
This notion is known as
the progress principle, introduced by workplace dynamics researchers
Teresa Amabile and Steven Kramer. In their book, they argue that the
most effective way to motivate employees is to facilitate and celebrate
progress.
Having a sense of progress can make people feel happier
and more engaged. This is true even if it's a small win – a minor step
forward towards a more significant, meaningful goal.
Momentum is
not just an energy booster but the antidote to team drama and blame.
Building a consistent cadence will keep your team in 'the zone,'
breaking through stagnation. Energy grows stronger and faster with time –
momentum keeps teams going.
4 Ways to Build Momentum and Break Through Stagnation
"The
inertia of the mind urges it to slide down the easy slope of
imagination, rather than to climb the steep slope of introspection." – Marcel Proust
Here
are four actionable strategies that both leaders and team members can
follow to build momentum and get the team back on a winning streak.
1. Aim for Quick Wins
Quick
wins are small, achievable goals that can be accomplished in a short
time frame. They're crucial for building initial momentum because they
provide immediate evidence of progress and success.
A quick win
could be as simple as improving a small part of a process or resolving a
minor issue that has been causing frustration. Quick wins boost team
morale, increase engagement, and create a sense of achievement. Start by
identifying small, manageable team issues that you want to improve.
When
Dave Brailsford took over the British cycling team, the challenge was
far from easy. With only a single gold medal in its 76-year history, the
team was stuck in a rut. While it may have been tempting for the new
coach to choose a big-bang approach, he instead focused on quick wins by
aggregating marginal gains. This led to a dramatic turnaround.
Brailsford,
a former professional cyclist with an MBA, believed that, by
identifying every element that goes into competing on a bike and
improving each one by 1%, the team could achieve a significant overall
increase in performance.
Team members began by experimenting with
a wind tunnel to improve aerodynamics. They were meticulous about food
preparation and brought their own mattresses and pillows so athletes
could sleep better every night. The team searched for small improvements
everywhere and found countless opportunities. They even hired a surgeon
to improve personal hygiene and avoid illnesses during competition.
Brailsford's
strategy paid off. At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, his squad won seven
out of 10 gold medals available in track cycling, and they matched the
achievement at the London Olympics four years later. Brailsford now
leads Britain's best-ever professional cycling team, which has won three
of the last four Tour de France events.
2. Turn Quick Wins into Big Wins
Building momentum in a team involves a strategic combination of both quick wins and big wins.
Quick
wins, which are relatively easy to achieve and require minimal effort,
are instrumental in initiating momentum. They provide immediate evidence
of progress, boosting morale by creating a sense of accomplishment.
However, the impact of quick wins is often short-lived and can only get
you so far.
On the other hand, big wins tackle more significant
structural issues, requiring substantial time and effort. Although they
may take longer to materialize, big wins have a profound and lasting
impact which is essential for sustaining and accelerating momentum.
I
recommend a balanced approach to selecting initiatives. For example,
two of three initiatives should be quick wins, and one should be a more
strategic or challenging big win. This approach ensures that momentum is
focused on long-term goals.
Spotify's Discover Weekly was
initially developed as a side project by software engineer Edward Newett
and a colleague. The idea was to create a better way for users to
discover new music they'd never listened to before. The engineers didn't
want to commit much time to the project until they were convinced it
was worth doing.
So, they changed Spotify's engineering approach
to include more user tests and used machine learning tools to generate
personalized playlists. The engineers tested the feature by quietly
pushing it out to the Spotify accounts of all company employees. The
reaction was overwhelmingly positive.
Encouraged by the growing
momentum, the engineers rolled out the feature to one percent of the
user base and received a similarly enthusiastic response.
Finally, Discover Weekly was rolled out to the rest of Spotify's customers, becoming its most popular feature.
3. Celebrate Progress
Celebrating
small victories is a powerful way to build momentum in teams and
organizations. Recognize and celebrate quick wins along the way.
Communicate these wins to the entire team and even the broader
organization. This recognition not only motivates the individuals
involved but also shows others that progress is possible.
A study
found that the frequency of small wins mattered more than the size of
the win to boost morale. The researchers found that people who
experienced a high frequency of small wins, no matter how minor,
reported higher overall happiness.
Pursuing small victories is a better way to quickly boost motivation and trigger a chain reaction.
When
Satya Nadella took the reins of Microsoft, he made it clear that the
old, aggressive culture was no longer welcome. He worked hard to promote
a culture of curiosity and learning. Nadella had to rebuild the culture
– to shift Microsoft from a "know-it-all" to a "learn-it-all" mindset.
Nurturing
a learning environment didn't happen overnight. Microsoft had to let go
of a perfectionist culture and turn competition into collaboration.
Sharing both small wins and losses was crucial to creating a snowball
effect.
Nadella instituted a space for executives to talk about
their experiments and innovations, encouraging them to try new things
instead of maintaining the status quo.
Its annual three-day
hackathon is an evident celebration of experimentation. Teams work on
projects outside their daily tasks while Nadella tours around, trying
demos. Thousands of employees from different Microsoft departments work
together to experiment, learn, and build. All projects are celebrated,
even though most will never see the light of day.
4. Focus on Meaningful Work
Contrary
to the common belief that high pressure and fear lead to achievement,
we are more creative and productive when our inner work lives are
positive – our emotions, motivations, and perceptions throughout a
workday. Experiencing a positive state makes us more committed to our
work and more collegial with those around us.
A study by Teresa
Amabile and Steven Kramer found that the most important motivator for
workers was not money, recognition, or job security, but rather the
sense of making progress in meaningful work.
When people perceive their work as meaningful, they are more likely to be engaged, happy, and motivated.
Meaningful
work is not about glory or prestige but about having a sense of purpose
and personal fulfillment. It's the belief that one's work makes a
difference and contributes positively to something larger than oneself.
The Transformative Power of Momentum
By
implementing these strategies, you can build on the momentum gained
from both quick and big wins to spread this positive energy throughout
the organization. Momentum not only leads to more success but also
spreads confidence and positivity across your culture.
Managers
should foster an environment where employees can achieve regular,
meaningful progress. Small wins boost morale and motivation, leading to
more wins. Over time, this will create a positive cycle.
Check out two related posts:
Calling a Timeout and Getting Aligned is an Essential Skill for High-Performing Team
Peter Mclees, Leadership Coach, Trainer and Performance Consultant
SMART DEVELOPMENT
Take the Next Step...
Interested
in learning how to develop your organization's leadership capability,
culture, and employee engagement? We begin with a collaborative
discovery process identifying your unique needs and business issues. To
request an interview with Peter Mclees please
contact: Email: petercmclees@gmail.com or Mobile: 323-854-1713
Smart
Development has an exceptional track record helping service providers,
ports, sales teams, restaurants, stores, distribution centers, food
production facilities, wealth management services, third-party maintenance providers, real estate services,
nonprofits, government agencies and other businesses create a strong
culture, leadership bench strength, coaching skills and the teamwork
necessary for growth.
Having worked with several companies
throughout their growth cycle, we have valuable insights and strategies
that would help any late stage startup, small or medium sized company
achieve sustained growth and prosperity.
No comments:
Post a Comment