Why do you do what you do?
Start with why.
Simon Sinek
This will be my first post on team management and motivation. Its really something that interests me (and something I find myself quite good at).
The golden circle or Why do you do what you do? – Simon Sinek
First I would like to start out my posting this video of Simon Sinek from a Ted Talks. He talks about the importance of understanding why you do what you do in a concept called the golden circle.
It’s a video that really changed my outlook on management and how to motivate a team. It’s how I championed the ‘early buy in’ method.
Getting an early buy-in is important, especially in product management. That is to say, getting people on board, to trust or sponsor your idea is usually the first hurdle and can also be applied it to managing a team. Why should do they turn up to work every day?
One of the key fundamentals to my work style and one of the first things I ever implement in a new team is good communication and a good feedback loop. This is how you motivate and inspire. Rather than just selling a project, or telling a development team what they have to build, tell your team about the problem. Tell them about your idea and who it will benefit. Tell them the financials, the KPIs and projections. Get their input and get them involved. You will see the change in motivation when the team form the solution with you and get passionate about the project too. This is the point they stop turning up because they have to, because they are paid to and start turning up because they believe in the work they are doing.
I must state, its also important to give feedback post project, share how the product is doing. Celebrate the good together, and learn from the bad together.
Summary
Why do you do what you do?
I truly believe that the traditional styles of management, or project management are now dated and now longer viable in modern industry. Especially software development. The future is about self empowered, autonomous teams who need coaching, support and vision. Gone are the days of giving our orders and dictatorship.
Less managing, more vision.
Martin Luther King gave the “I have a dream” speech, not the “I have a plan” speech.
Simon Sinek
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