4 Emotive Drivers to Help Sustain Discipline.

I used to think that the only way to set goals was using the SMART Goals; it had to be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-bound.

I got so used to it, I even insist that every SMART their goals for every project, the document was usually treated like something just a little short of being called biblical!

However, I NO LONGER use the SMART Goals in isolation.

There’s a story behind this decision; this story goes back about 10 years ago. I was managing a group of smart consultants and as usual I insisted on everyone having their smart goals. I then drilled them toward those goals, I remember myself being regimented and had very low tolerance for things being deviated from our plans.

I remember being stressed out, we have to work long hours to keep up with our plans. Morale was low, I was probably feeling miserable inside. We achieved our goals in the end, but I didn’t see any joy in their eyes.

I’ve learned the hard lesson that we also have to measure humanistic outcomes, abstract outcomes such feelings and emotions. I realize that, we cannot get those cognitive outcomes if we don’t take care and manage the well-being of our team members.

Since then, I made it a point to ensure we measure the following Emotive Drivers:

1st Emotive Driver – Confidence
• As we work on our goals, does it make you feel more confident. When we feel confident about something we get more motivated. It’s our job as a leader to give confidence to our team.

2nd Emotive Driver – Happiness or Joy
• This is probably one of the most taken for granted factors while pursuing our goals. We have to ensure that while the task maybe tough, the process of getting it done doesn’t have to be. We can create an supportive environment where colleagues cheer for each other.

3rd Emotive Driver – Sense of Pride
• It is our role as a leader to infuse a sense of pride in our people and the role that they are playing. I’ve seen team members who shine just because they’re in a project that has clear social impact. The project simply gives them the extra fuel, and that’s precious.

4th Emotive Driver – Power
• Different people are motivated by different things, some crave for authority, prestige and power. Empowering the right team member to enable them to show up can be a game changer.

Understanding and leveraging on these emotive drives can make a huge difference, it has certainly worked for me. How about you?

Does the story resonate with you?