Who knew Oprah and the Black Eyed Peas could teach us a thing or two about Employee Engagement. I was asked today to provide an example of a short, inspiring video that could be used by an OD practitioner. What came to mind was the viral vid that’s been circulating the web since September.
I believe this video teaches us two important lessons on engagement. Take a look what do you see that relates to engagement here?
Provide clear direction. This was accomplished through rehearsal and practice, by the some 20,000 who chose to participate in kicking off Oprah’s 24th season. When people are provided a clear sense of direction it’s amazing what can be accomplished. In the workplace or on the streets in Chicago.
Co-create with your group. This one I think is the biggest lesson. After viewing an interview with the director of the video, it was clear that the Black Eyed Peas put ego aside to co-create. In a typical rock concert the spot light is on the stage. Here the spot light extends all the way down Michigan Ave. They let the audience in. They let the audience be part of the show. Takes a confident leader to allow this, don’t you think?
Research from the Corporate Leadership Council suggests that by simply providing a clear direction to the goals of the organization can yield an increase in up to 34% in effort. What do you think the impact to engagement is when people get to be part of the “show” and co-create with their leaders?
Is it possible to have people be more engaged by asking them to daydream?
Give these next question some thought, or better yet let yourself day dream a bit…
What does your ideal day at work look like?
Envision it as if you leaped out of bed thinking “I get to go to work today!”
What are you doing?
With who?
Where is this ideal work taking place?
How does this work feed your values?
What is it about the work that provides you energy?
Engage yourself in the simple act of day dreaming about your ideal work. The power of visualization works for athletes and execs – it can work for you too.
Find yourself a comfy chair. Give yourself 10-minutes. Think of it as a stay-cation. And allow yourself to be in the dream. Put your limiting beliefs aside, and dream. After day dreaming, ask yourself, “what are the nuggets from your dream that you can start to attain TODAY?”
I conducted a workshop on Career Exploration today and invited participants to day dream. One participant’s dream revolved around being a Writer. And then the list of limitations unfolded on why that couldn’t happen. As she looked for permission to throw the dream away, I asked her how might writing show up more in her work today? This dream gave her energy, the limitations filled her with fear. Being able to weave nuggets of your dream into your daily work might just give you the boost to become more engaged.
It might even give you the courage to jump into the pool with both feet and DO something about your dream. So, I say dream!
