How the leader can create a chaos or the opposite

The leader can create chaos or create order: 

It is actually so true. It is entirely up to the leader whether she or he wants to create chaos (and enjoy asynchronous employees) or wants to create dynamism (by synchronizing the whole group). It may sound both technical and difficult. But just read on. It's as easy as scratching your neck.

A few years ago I arrived for a workshop at a major American education fair. In the doorway stood a friendly man with a basket over one arm. He welcomed me and offered me some of the contents of the basket. What he offered me was something as strange as a rhythm egg. I accepted it and entered the room where approx. 250 people were already seated. They all sat and shook the rhythm egg in the same way and in the same rhythm. It actually sounded pretty amazing. I sat down and 'rhythmed' along.

Only several years later did I find out what it was I was a part of and what significance the rhythm egg had on the workshop, on the participants and on me.

In the meantime, Mette Berner and I have written a book about the manager's options for creating a committed team. A little more is needed than a rhythm egg. But in fact the whole method consists of a series of small 'columbus eggs'. Without these methods, all the participants remain individuals who have nothing to do with each other.

This is what the book looks like. It is full of practical exercises that the manager can choose his way through. Howlingly easy.


Back to the rhythm egg
It is important that the leader of a meeting or seminar synchronizes all his participants. This can be done by asking everyone to do the same thing at the same time. We know it from the National Anthem in the Park, the countdown before the Christmas tree is lit, the applause that welcomes the star ... or a rhythm egg.

But it is not enough that everyone does the same thing at the same time. There has to be an extra twist. The thing about the rhythm egg is that it is actually difficult to move a rhythm egg correctly. And if I don't do it right, there is a danger that some will turn around and look at me with funny eyes. So, a synchronization must challenge the individuals a little - not too much - but a little.

The leader must not stand up in front of the participants and say: Hep, now I would like you all to stand on your hands when I say GO. Only a few can stand on their hands and few will try. So it's a bad idea. The manager usually tries with a 'Good morning, everyone'. Then a few answer: 'Good morning'. It was neither challenging nor simultaneous.

I hope you see the point. Now you need to find your very own syncs, so you have a good handful and can vary them from time to time.

Try it and enjoy! The book can be ordered in Danish language HERE


Michael Meinhardt
LEADERSwarehouse.com 
☎ +45 71 92 55 63 ✉ info@LEADERSwarehouse.com


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