What’s In It For Me?
March 27th, 2012 at 11:05 pm (Home)
Today saw the culmination of an intensive 5-day training workshop aimed at educating and equipping officers of the Singapore Armed Forces in the areas of Coaching and Facilitation. Somewhere along the way, I also managed to fit in a two-hour seminar for over a hundred financial services professionals.
The role I see for myself at each workshop/seminar/keynote presentation is uncomplicated: to inspire participants’ commitment to their goals and purpose; and influence them to take action toward improving themselves and their organization. One of the key words is action. At the end of the day, their positive experience and fresh learning will come to nought if they do not go out into their world and take inspired action to boost performance.
But what is it that drives us to action? That very act implies change and we all know how change can often be so unpalatable. Often, leaders and managers extol benefits in the form of hitting KPIs, maximising revenue and increasing income. But sometimes the reward comes in much more simple and honest terms.
A friend recently told me the story of how her sister, an overweight lady who led a sedentary lifestyle, finally committed to, and completed, 30 consecutive days of exercise. At the end of it all, she reported feeling on top of the world, not because she had lost weight or looked any different. She felt a great sense of pride because she had kept her word. To herself.
Your word is your greatest bond. When you take an action you had previously declared, the feeling is liberating and your reward unmatched.
What word to yourself will you keep today?