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