Fostering an Achievement Culture
Achievement motivation is largely developed in childhood. It can however be fostered in adulthood through work or recreational pursuits.
I am saddened when I see helicopter parents nobbling a sense of competence and adventure in their children with overprotective parenting. One learns and gains confidence through being stretched.
Let me illustrate how achievement motivation and confidence can be developed through a combination of example, opportunity and non-interference. At the back of our property is an open area which borders a creek. A while ago, someone strung up a knotted rope which kids could climb. This led me to put up a mini ropes course and a neighbour 6-meter high swing to give kids more opportunity for challenge. One kid then took this further and built a small ramp to jump his bike. As the small jump was mastered, more and more challenges were built including 1.2-meter high jumps. They are there every afternoon having fun and building more creative challenges.
The dynamics for achievement motivation are in play here: Emulating a small challenge, freedom to experiment, gradual increase in challenges - leading to enjoyment and competence as well as a desire for more achievement. They are also learning to manage risk. By making some small mistakes on small challenges, they learn how to mitigate risk and to only take bigger challenges when they have developed the appropriate competence. Molly-coddled children are often the ones who are reckless when they finally have freedom. They have not developed judgement because their parents have made all the decisions for them.
As HR practitioners we can develop a culture that fosters resourcefulness, independent thinking and moderate risk taking so that high achievement follows. This is good for organisation results and individual confidence and satisfaction. As leaders, we can tell team members what needs to be achieved, but, leave it up to them on how to do this.
Helping People Develop Brain Health
As employers, we are largely paying people for their brains. It makes sense to foster brain health. I highly recommend the next Uni of Tasmania and Wicking Institute free online course on “Preventing Dementia”.
If you know of someone who might be interested, please encourage them to sign up and enroll at: mooc.utas.edu.au/landing/pd5share
Leadership Assignment Tokyo
We seek someone living in Japan to facilitate a 4-day leadership workshop. Participants will be frontline managers. The program is being rolled out globally in the last quarter. The content has already been designed and will be translated into Japanese. We have already offered our client a good Japan based option, but they would like an additional choice.
Please send expression of interest and CV or bio to: reg@polson.com.au
Leadership Development Johannesburg
We seek a consultant to facilitate a leadership and conflict management assignment in South Africa. The facilitator will receive accreditation training a be part of a global role out. They must be based in Johannesburg - Unless they are prepared to pay their own travel expenses!
Once again, we have offered the client a good option, but are opening up the assignment to give the client choice and to cast a net for consultants that are new to us. This gives us a bigger pool to select from next time.
Please send expression of interest and CV or bio to: reg@polson.com.au
Quote of the Month
Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.
Benjamin Franklin