Setting the Stage

Rarely does another consultant's newsletter or blog strike me enough to foster a response. It isn't that I'm better than they, they're simply not my target. There is much out there that can teach however, so I keep up weekly, if not daily, with some of them. Rick Maurer is one that puts out many worthwhile ideas on change, and today he had an interesting post.

On his "The Right Frame of Mind", he made the point that puting participants in the proper mental state before important events was critical. Sales meetings, creative problem solving sessions, or launching big changes would be examples. Go to Rick Maurer.com.

I responded to his blog by saying that I had been doing this for "decades" (I'm old) and agreed wholeheartedly. I always would bring folks in the night before, or even the afternoon before to relax, play golf, or maybe go sailing. Especially when the participants didn't know each other, it gave them a chance to find similarities in each other, relax, and perhaps even create a bit of trust. It is a proven fact that we perform better when rested, relaxed, and in an atmosphere of support.

Rick's article even suggested that we might look into fostering noble attitudes that would be even more team, rather than self, oriented. Interesting point, but we, as responsible people, would not want to manipulate, so we would be obligated to tell them what we were doing. That said, most would probably consent to be a part of something more lofty.

If we agree that preparation is the key to performance, then we should commit to doing this. How often, in the name of saving time or money have we rushed into something important only to miss where our target audience was? Setting the stage for your folks, and making the ground fertile is simply good sense & good business. Care enough about them to take the time.