Short-Term Wins Are Critical

From Friday August 17 - this blog post from Fortify Your Oasis.

The post talks to the fact that learning goes through stages.  And those stages require effort and in some cases - I'd submit - some embarrassment.  Within the post was this chart -

Two things came to mind as I looked at this chart.

First, the "step up" image is a good one.  It takes effort to learn new things and the idea that you need to "climb" to get to the top is apt.

Second - because there is effort there is a need to provide incentives to take the individual steps.  Creating short-term reasons to submit to the work, the pain and the possible embarrassment as you move from Step 2 to Step 3 is critical.  We need to ensure there are very visible rewards and recognition for achieving these steps in order to get people to move toward the goal.

It reminds of discussions I have with my kids about the stuff they study in school.  The comments are typically - "I'll never use this."  Or, "How will this ever help me with 'x' job?"

Good questions.  Typically, the payout for leaning and mastering a new skill is somewhat hidden.  It is difficult to show how the new competence will manifest itself in your current position, role or job.  This is especially true of top performers.  They cannot see the long-term reason for changing.

Give them a reason!  Provide rewards and recognition for each step of the process.  It's okay to have them focus on these short-term goals.  Once they master the new skill - they will see the big picture and be thankful they stayed with it.

Without short-term wins - it is hard to keep people motivated to achieve long-term goals.