A Creative Idea To Teach Corporate Mission

The October 31 issues of HBS Working Knowledge had an outstanding article "Overcoming Barriers that Destroy Teams". The article highlighted some methods internal and external consultants are using to be creative and challenge and change attitudes. The article goes on to say that it is important to provide your teams with an irresistible challenge. It suggests five ways to overcoming barriers and motivate teams. These tactics include sharing as much information as possible, providing the appropriate amount of guidance, stretching your people beyond their comfort levels, making it fun, and helping your people feel the challenge. I especially loved the example of the Saturn team...Corporate management wanted the team to feel their mission (to surprise and delight customers) so they created a simulation with a special twist. Teams were asked to build bicycles...a way to build up teamwork, decision making, coping with conflict...and then develop a strategy to "surprise and delight" the new owners of the bikes. The special twist was that Saturn management brought in children from the local community and presented them as the new owners. The kids didn't know they were going to receive bikes and the team members didn't know that their bikes were actually going to someone. Brilliant way to show the mission and corporate values in action. If you don't get HBS Working Knowledge then I'd recommend that you do...at http://www.hbswk.hbs.edu.