Extreme effort, frequent frustrations?

Turnarounds and other 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 can feel like that. Greek mythology considered this scenario a punishment: Sisyphos was condemned to maximum effort and daily setbacks.

Facing so many setbacks, how can we sustain our turnaround efforts?

Interestingly, Indian mythology also had a man rolling a rock uphill every day. But amazingly, this guy 𝗲𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗱 the procedure.  So, how to become a Naranath Bhranthan rather than a Sisyphos?

One way is to learn to expect fewer successes.

Our “reward” neurotransmitter dopamine helps with this; it stays elevated as successes becomes rare, keeping our spirits up. You can support this mechanism by noticing and celebrating not only the big, but also the 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝘃𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀.

But wouldn’t it be much better to not even depend on success?

To naturally choose the harder task? Because you enjoy the challenge, irrespective of outcome? This is probably a good mode during turnaround (if less so during business-as-usual).  

Fascinating new experiments show that this can be achieved by 𝗿𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 people for 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 task (rather than rewarding them for results only). What leadership skills do you need for this?

One, being able to 𝗷𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁 required; you must have some understanding of the actual work that is necessary. Two, rewarding people 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀; you must have touchpoints throughout, not only to see the results.

And remember: “Money … is very often the most expensive way to motivate people” (Dan Ariely). Many people will appreciate other rewards just as much, such as genuine interest in their work and friendly support.