| At your next staff meeting lead your team | | | | commitment to space exploration. |
| through the following discussion and exercise. | | | | - The focus on the tragedy from the national |
| This exercise is focused on getting people to | | | | media will inspire a new generation of space |
| perceive things positively. The exercise goes like | | | | enthusiasts. Perhaps a child will become the |
| this: | | | | greatest space explorer of all time as a result. |
| Make the point to your team that they have the | | | | Now, challenge your team to come up with 5 |
| power to perceive virtually all things either from a | | | | additional positive outcomes. You will be surprised |
| positive or negative perspective. | | | | now by their creativity and renewed vision for |
| Lead a discussion asking for attendees to offer | | | | what is possible. |
| up negative circumstances resulting from a | | | | Lastly, go through the exact same exercise. This |
| well-known tragedy. | | | | time however, choose the following topic |
| As an example let's consider the tragedy involving | | | | appropriate to your own business. Here's the |
| the Space Shuttle Columbia. | | | | challenge: |
| Creating this "list of negatives" will come easily for | | | | "Revising our production goals UP by an additional |
| the participants given the nature of the disaster. | | | | 15%." |
| For example: The loss of life, the potential effects | | | | After going through the negatives first (limit the |
| for radiation on the ground, the devastating blow | | | | list to only 5 items), then go through the positives, |
| to the space program, the children and families | | | | and allow your team to have a lengthy discussion |
| effected by the loss of loved ones, etc. | | | | on HOW this 15% production increase will be |
| In the interest of time and keeping your entire | | | | achieved. In effect, let them create a mini action |
| team fully engaged, make the list no longer than | | | | plan. |
| 8-10 items. | | | | Once the group has agreed on how to increase |
| Next, ask the group to come up with a list of | | | | the production by 15% you can ever-so-gently |
| positive outcomes from this experience. | | | | inform them that "the goals did NOT just go up |
| (Hint: This will actually be more difficult for the | | | | by 15%, only 10%! BUT, now that we have a |
| group because it is hard to voice optimism when | | | | plan for achieving 15%, don't you think we should |
| talking about personal tragedy. However, you can | | | | use it?" |
| offer up a few of your own ideas to get people | | | | Have fun with this exercise! It shows people you |
| started thinking from a different point of view.) | | | | are a leader with vision and that you understand |
| For instance some positive outcomes are: | | | | the power of perception and belief. |
| - The space program will learn from this disaster | | | | Hopefully, it will also show your team that you |
| and become even more safe for future flights - | | | | have a good sense of humor and that you can |
| thus saving countless lives. | | | | relate to their concerns. This exercise makes for |
| - The nation came together from the crisis, which | | | | a terrific opportunity to "CONNECT" with your |
| is good for the solidarity of our country. | | | | employees. |
| - The family members will remember their | | | | Show your team that it's ok to have fun while |
| deceased as American Heroes and throughout | | | | increasing expectations. |
| history their family will take pride in his/her | | | | |