Enthusiasm half-life

When you set a courageous goal and begin enlisting help to achieve it, excitement takes hold. New possibilities emerge, new questions arise, as do new perceptions, and new relationships. Excitement is a powerful force.

But watch out, because there is a dynamic working against goal excitement all the time. Let’s call it “enthusiasm half-life”.

You see it when your team has an away-day and everyone gets along really well. But the next day back in the office the boring realities and negative dynamics reassert themselves and, day by day, the excitement drains away.

Most teams, departments and organisations have no goal excitement at all, so they need “management” – inducements by stick and carrot – which is why office life is a drudge.

Courageous goals get the ball rolling with excitement, but then the goal needs to mature into something more lasting, a new reality.

The team needs to see early action by the leadership, which must demonstrate sustained commitment, and measurable, regular progress must be achieved and celebrated.