What invisible force is holding your business together?

Global Business Strategy

THE INVISIBLE FORCES THAT HOLD YOUR COMPANY TOGETHER

I have recently read several articles about Storytelling. I have however come to realise that the objective of a well-crafted , complete story is to create synergy.

article by Diane Shawe M.Ed

This combined effort or synergistic effect produces energy in many places within the company. These fields of energy become an invisible force that holds your company together (see Figure 1-). While the concepts of field theory are still relatively new as they are applied to an organisation, we must believe that people working together toward common goals display a different level of excitement than a loose collection of individuals with no defined purpose. That excitement is created by lots of leaders telling lots of good stories about the organisation. It is about leaders creating myths, legends, and fables of the company that tend to attract people. It’s the stories told around the coffee station. Leaders can create energy, synergy, and bonding to corporate stories by appealing to people’s sense of belonging, challenge, purpose, and contribution.

four feild of energy that generat passion by Diane Shawe

Figure 1. Four fields of energy that generate passion.

Fields of Belonging

People want to belong to something. That’s why they join clubs, work in groups, and live in communities. They want to be part of a winning work organisation. I’ve never met a single person who said, “I think I’ll go to work for a losing company.” Use this basic human need to create a field of energy around membership in your organisation. If you work by yourself, then connect with groups with like minded people.

Fields of Challenge

People want to experience challenge in work and life. That’s why they search for the cure for cancer or participate in extreme sports. Give people a challenge. Ask them to do the impossible. Stretch their knowledge and ability. Tap into their unused energy. Channel it toward your goals. Again if you work for yourself, then reach for the stars, stretch yourself so you can grow. You will be surprised at the results.

Fields of Purpose

People want to know that their work has meaning. That’s why they need to know if what they do has relevance. Even if you work alone and for yourself, knowing that you are appreciated goes a long way to motivating you. Show everyone how he or she fits into your business plan and why it is important for every employee to be successful. It is amasing how easily your goals will then be accomplished.

Fields of Contribution

People want to know if their work has contributed to the activity. Have they made a difference? Show employees where their individual efforts help the team achieve its goal and you have a satisfied workforce. If I can make a difference I will work at a different level than if I believe that my work is just part of a giant struggle that leads to no conclusive end game.

Belonging, Challenges, Purpose and Contribution are some of the key drivers to becoming self employed or doing something that you love. If you find that these ingredients are missing from your daily cycle, this could be some of the reasons why your self esteem could be low. So let us take a look at nine tools.

THE NINE TOOLS FOR GENERATING EFFECTIVE BUSINESS ENERGY FIELDS

According to many articles, effective leaders can use the elements of a business plan to create the necessary energy to make things happen. They know energy fields and business plans cannot operate independently. A business plan that has an inconsistent story will be flat, lackluster, and boring not to mention under believable. There will be no passion or sense of purpose. Employees will not work with pride or display enthusiasm above and beyond. There will be no sense of urgency to complete the plan. Lethargy toward the written plan will be evidenced.

On the other hand, well-crafted business plans generate all the human power you need for accomplishing ambitious goals. Turning people on turns on the business plan. I know business plans can be a pain, but revising them can help refocus you and recharge your energy. Each of the nine element has a unique value to your business plan and the underlying company story. Margaret J. Wheatley describes our present understanding of energy fields.

“We have moved deeper into a field view of reality by our present focus on culture, vision, and values as the means for man- aging organisations. We know that this works, even when we don’t know how to do it well.”