In my experience, strategic plans fail because they do not create an environment of engagement and commitment around achieving the corporate goals. They talk about “talking about the plan” under the guise of “Strategic Communications.” But they don’t create the atmosphere in which success flourishes. This story illustrates some of the struggles around creating an environment of engagement and commitment.
The kids were off from school, and I was working from home. The house was…let’s say not in the best of shape. Eryk, Iain and Macy (my kids) agreed to pick up around the house while I worked for a few hours.
Instead, they played on electronics. For hours.
Oblivious, I walked out of the bedroom/office, looking forward to a clean house. I was also looking forward to rewarding my wonderful, beautiful, obedient children with a SURPRISE trip to the local Chinese buffet, their favorite joint.
Aghast, I audibly sighed. I informed them of my tender and loving surprise that I so wanted to share with them – going out to lunch – and how disappointed I was that we wouldn’t get to go now because the house wasn’t clean.
The shrieks and squeals that ensued would make you think the kids were being bludgeoned. Iain stormed out the front door, throwing all of his 50 pounds into slamming it as hard as he could. Macy was in tears, and Eryk initiated a diatribe on how unfair, uncaring and hurtful I was being to all of them.
When the chaos settled into a dull moan, I posited a question. “Hey guys, I was willing to take y’all to lunch if you picked up the house. And you chose to play on electronics instead. That was your choice, and that’s OK. Do you think I might be willing to take us all to dinner instead?”
Iain’s “Charlie X” (Star Trek Reference) impersonation vanished. And in its place, this warm, inviting, excited, and engaged little boy showed up. “YEAH!” he exclaimed. “Can we do Grand Buffet?”
“Sure,” I said. “So, what’s it gonna take to get there?”
“Clean the house,” the three cheery children said, nearly in unison.
“And what all needs to be cleaned?” I asked.
They spouted off a list of every room in the house, and even added some extra chores to the list. And then they went to work.
That part of the story is a great lesson on how to use conversation through conflict to create an environment of engagement and commitment. And, it points out the pitfalls of setting expectations without setting equally clear rewards that will flow when those expectations are met. However, notice that once the reward was settled, the kids engaged themselves.
