Last weekend we took our kids to Westfield Penrith to see the Lego Master Builders, who were building giant figures of Darth Vader and Yoda. The really great thing about this event was that kids (and adults!) were able to build the small ‘bricks’ that would become part of the giant structure.
If we were at home and I asked my kids to build plain old boring bricks, I doubt they would have been enthused! But because they could see that the small black bricks they were making would soon become part of Darth Vader, they were highly motivated.
I couldn’t help but see this as a fantastic analogy for managing staff. Each staff member under your employ is essentially a ‘brick builder’. They are contributing to the bigger picture of your business. But if they have no concept of what they are working towards, they are unlikely to complete their work with enthusiasm and productivity is likely to be much lower.
To paraphrase a popular saying, “If you are a leader and no one is following you, you are just a woman on a walk”. Meaning, in order to lead people in your team, you need to show them the big picture and their part in achieving it.
In addition, for you as an employer, it is a good lesson in how essential your staff are to your business. The ‘Master Builders’ could not have built their giant structures without the smaller bricks being supplied – and so it is with your staff: without them, your business will not succeed. So bring them along on the journey. And remember: “Everything is awesome. Everything is cool when you’re part of a team....” !
Michelle Grice writes a weekly column for business women in The Western Weekender
