Soda water training

Being a trainer, I often get calls, especially from event management companies, for delivering a motivation lecture. The expectation is that I will say something which will immediately fire up employees, particularly sales team and they will instantly deliver a distinctly superior performance. There are some speakers who jump and shout and make the participants also do the same. Everybody is happy even though this hardly ever translates into better performance in the long run. I call these soda water events and the fizz is gone after a while.  Obviously, I decline politely. There is another flip side to these events. Employees of the company, where these programs are often held, start equating all programs with all fun and get disinterested whenever any skills and concepts are sought to be taught. Fun is very important for better learning transfer, but we must not confuse means with end.

There is another set of employers who want a one-day training program and look forward to it as a remedy for low morale, alienation, disengagement, lack of teamwork, etc. Had this been so simple, life would have been simple not only for employers, but spouses, parents, everybody. I try suggesting them an alternate capsule on ownership and service culture. If we are able to instil a sense of ownership and how it is in their own interest of growth and happiness, at least a part of the purpose is served. This generally gives better results.

Once we were face to face with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of Art of Living. Someone asked him, “Guruji, how do we motivate employees?” He answered, “Motivation is a dirty word. Motivation means manipulation and is, therefore, dehumanizing. Do you remember the famous carrot-n-stick paradigm? You end up making a donkey out of human being.” He suggested inspiring people, instead. “Sell them a vision and how it will be beneficial for everyone, including them. This is the only way you can get out of carrot-n-stick trap.” Profound indeed!