Making Performance Count
I think an increasing art of leadership is defining the most effective sort of performance expectations in others. Probably the most empowering approach is when you can mutually agree some defined outcome and possibly some very broad parameters around how this should be achieved. This enables people to decide the best and most effective way of achieving this outcome based upon their more complete understanding of the situation and their capabilities.The problem is the amount of influence an individual has over a particular outcome means what is planned and what is achieved can not be the same thing. In fast moving times, ‘goal posts’ keep getting moved, teams keep changing and it is only reasonable to expect the unexpected.
In sport coaches have been dealing with this challenge for some time. Train as hard as you might, plan as much as you will, you can’t guarantee a gold medal or the championship. What you can more definitely control is your own level of performance. Thus it makes more sense to be able to aim for say up sub 9.9 100m rather than winning the gold – particularly if Bolt is running! The organisational equivalent might be to distinguish between a ‘result’ and a ‘standard’ of performance. E.g. delivering a project to time and specification is a standard, what the project delivers is the outcome.
Sport also talks about process goals –focusing on particular abilities – e.g. a particular stroke in tennis, or a better golf swing. These are factors that contribute to performance e.g aces served, birdies achieved, and thereby competitions won. (outcomes). In our work at Apter Development, we define these ‘process’ areas as including abilities, mindset and opportunities.
What I believe leaders need to do is see performance as defined across all these factors. Although they should focus as much as possible on the outcome, they should also remain very aware of the level of reasonable control that exists over that outcome and redirect attention to performance or even process goals as required.
This point is further developed in my article ‘The Performance Equation - what makes truly great, sustainable performance’ . If you are interesated in leadership then take a look at The Apter Development Leadership Club on our website now!
A thought piece by Steve Carter October 2009
Athletes' Body Image, High Intensity Training and Reversal Theory
The 14th International Reversal Theory Conference, took place in New Orleans this month. There were several interesting research papers that were presented, but I thought you would be interested to hear about these in particular.1. It has been found that Athletes with a high Serious, Mastery and Other-Orientated motivational dominance are more likely to be dissatisfied with their body image (Archer, Jevas and Cilpepper).
2. In high intensity treadmill exercise lasting 10 minutes, the higher the serious dominance of athletes, the sooner their pleasure in the exercise declined (Fabien, Legrand). This suggests that exercisers are more likely to "stick with it" if they can maintain the playful state. It may be easier to this for people who are already playful dominant.
This research certainly gives coaches and athletes something to think about in training. By harnessing your motivations could you improve your performance, success and overall happiness?
The abstracts for these papers along with many others will be available on the Reversal Theory website soon. Alternatively if you have any questions or comments why not join the Reversal Theory Club on iStadia and post a message in the forum.
Reversal Theory and Japanese footballers
In research using Reversal Theory, Japanese footballers, playing in a five-a-side competition, were found to be unhappy when they won a game. This can only be explained by some kind of culturally induced Other-Orientated state, in which they felt shame, and were upset for those who were beaten. This is certainly a suprising result when seen from the Western perspective! (Guido Geisler and John Kerr.)Please get in contact if you would like to find out more about Reversal Theory and its applications within a sport and exersice environment. Alternatively why not join our Reversal Theory Club on iStadia where you can post questions and discussions.
Andy Murray, Wimbledon Semi-Finals and Reversal Theory
Could "Murray Mania" have
hindered Andy Murray's chances of making it to the Wimbledon Finals?
With the weight of the nation's hopes on his shoulders, it may possible that
the media frenzy surrounding Andy Murray was a defining factor in his
performance in his semi-final against Andy Roddick.
According to Reversal Theory, there are Eight Motivational States that we all
spend time in. The trick to a healthy life and great performance is to be able
to spend the right amount of time in each state and to be able to inhabit the
correct state for each situation or interaction we have.
When a person is in the Serious State they are concerned with achievements, future goals, seeing the
bigger picture and thinking strategy. The United Kingdom pinned all their hopes on Murray becoming the
first British man to reach the Wimbledon finals since Henry "Bunny" Austin in 1938.
Perhaps this expectation led Murray to become stuck in the Serious state during the Semi-Finals.
Had Murray been able to reverse into the Playful state, while on court, he may would have been able to focus on the task itself, enjoying the game and feeling totally in the moment, rather than worrying about the hopes of the entire UK. Maybe then there would have been a very different outcome at the Wimbledon this year.
Reversal Theory Research in Sport and Exercise Environments
The 14th International Reversal Theory Conference is taking place next week on July 8th in New Orleans. I am looking forward to posting on iStadia some of the new and interesting ways the theory is currently being used for research.
In recent years research using Reversal Theory has found that everybody who exercises regularly calls on all eight of the motivational states in order to motivate themselves at different times. For example, in the serious state they may get pleasure from the feeling of progress towards ends they have set themselves. In the playful state they enjoy the exercise itself, in the mastery state they feel they are getting into control of their bodies, etc. The more that people excercise, the more that they are motivated by all the states. (Jay Lee)
Keep following my blog posts to find out more about how Reversal Theory has been used within sport and exercise environments.
Self Test - Reversal Theory, mapping your motivations
Where are you spending most of your motivational time? Answer the following four questions to see which of Reversal Theory's 4 opposing pairs of motivational states you spend most time in:1. Do you spend more time:
a. Focussing on making progress, thinking about the future, worrying about goals and deadlines?
OR
b. Enjoying the moment, looking for excitement or stimulation, perhaps easily bored?
2. Do you spend more time:
a. Wanting to do the right thing, enjoying fitting in with others, liking traditions and norms, following the rules
OR
b. Looking for different ways to do things, being unconventional, getting angry sometimes?
3. Do you spend more time:
a. Looking for cooperation, wanting to build relationships
OR
b. Wanting to get things under sontrol, being competitive, feeling proud?
4. Do you spend more time:
a. Being concerned with your own self image and your own emotions, being assertive?
OR
b. Doing the best you can for otehrs, putting them first, helping others learn or do well?
ANSWERS
Questions 1
a. = Serious State
b. = Palyful State
Question 2
a. = Conforming State
b. = Rebellious State
Question 3
a. = Sympathy State
b. = Mastery State
Question 4
a. = Self-Orientated State
b. = Other-Orientated State
Now ask yourself, "Is this working for me?" What might you want to change?
To find out more about each of the motivational states, read Marie Shelton and Steve Carter's article: Be Inconsistent - it's what makes you happy and succesful!
