Two of the biggest challenges a Training department may face are:
1) Motivating a top-performing staff to take their game to the next level
2) Motivating mid-level personnel who have become complacent and think that good is “good enough”
Both of these situations will result in team members who find themselves satisfied with producing the same stagnant patterns. It may lead to complacency, which, in turn, leads to a lack of desire to achieve more. Maintaining the status quo then becomes the norm.
This unproductive cycle occurs when individuals center their efforts on isolated tasks and forget they are part of a larger group or organization. As a musician, I am part of a band; a team. Every beat I play has purpose and is used toward achieving the greater good of creating memorable music. I can’t perform with blinders on. I have to see, hear, and feel all the members of the band on stage. Music is one of the highest forms of communication and requires a true team spirit, very similar to a sports team.
Picture this: I’m in a packed arena with 60,000 music fans. If I mindlessly play one beat all night long, never changing the speed or volume of my drumming, the result would be cacophony. Great music is made by a team of people who work together to create something grander than what could be created by an individual.
Any Training department can take a cue from a great band. We also may need to be reminded of the basics. Let’s refocus our efforts using five key attributes I call the CRASH system. These are five concepts you and your team can use to achieve greater results.
- Commitment: Commitment can be defined as a “pledge or undertaking” or “to be dedicated to something.” It also means giving yourself completely to the process at hand and striving to deliver a complete and quality experience. Commitment starts in the mind. By making that commitment, any task or goal becomes more rewarding and meaningful. For me, commitment starts with the first click of the sticks that starts a performance and lasts until the last cymbal dies out and the band has left the stage. Make a commitment, fuel it with conviction, passion, and persistence, and watch your goals become a reality.
- Relationships: Relationships within any organization are crucial for achieving success, especially if they are based on mutual admiration and sincerity. Being comfortable and friendly with the people you are working with is paramount. I am fortunate that I have been working for more than 10 years with my best friends. Make a commitment to your co-workers to make things great. By focusing your energy on being the best you can be, you will motivate and inspire the rest of the team. Maintaining a positive relationship will create a winning formula for long-term success.
- Attitude: As a general rule, I have never met a single person on this Earth who wants to communicate on even a surface level with a person who oozes negativity. A musician can spend years developing flawless technique, speed, and power, yet never share the stage with other musicians because of attitude. And if you do make it to the big stage, a bad attitude can take away that privilege just as fast. Attitude will make or break you! Develop the habit of staying positive and let your team player spirit shine through. People will be attracted to your energy, and you will be able to pursue your major purpose in life every day. Your attitude is the one thing most people will remember about you, more than any of your other traits. People with great attitudes have charisma. Let’s face it, charismatic individuals get preferential seating at restaurants, and even win elections, so watch how you present your attitude.
- Skill: The world is changing at an incredibly fast rate. With each passing year, new standards are set within our fields, and expectations grow. However, the majority of our “career game” can be boiled down to two “big picture” concepts. Don’t forget to also focus your attention on people skills. Focus on perfecting your “bedside manner.” I am always surprised to meet a doctor who takes time to ask me about my lifestyle, diet, stress level, and overall mood, and always disappointed by the doctor who spends two minutes not looking you in the eye and quickly writes a prescription. Ask yourself this question, “Am I easy to work with?” If there is hesitation before your answer, then you may have to work on that “bedside manner.”
- Hunger: Across any industry or business, there is a common denominator for individuals who achieve a high level of success. At a certain point, things become comfortable, people take things for granted, they lose the spark, and the quality of their work starts to decline. I call this “The Fat Elvis Syndrome.” The organizations that continue to push themselves hard and look to consistently reinvent themselves, develop new skill sets, and create new product lines are the ones that survive and continue to thrive. I also have noticed that people greatly respect individuals or companies that never rest on past accomplishments. When you fan the flames of hunger and keep pushing, you will be rewarded with new and exciting opportunities. In other words, you get back what you put in. The lesson here is: Stay hungry!
Rich Redmond is a Nashville-based touring/recording drummer with multi-platinum country rocker Jason Aldean. Redmond has recorded 18 #1 hits and has helped bring a new rock-infused sound to Nashville’s music scene. He also has worked with Kelly Clarkson, Bryan Adams, Jewel, Ludacris, Lit, Joe Perry, Miranda Lambert, Steel Magnolia, Thompson Square, Rushlow, and others. Redmond’s “CRASH Course” seminar focuses on utilizing the concepts of CRASH to forge a successful career in any business. Visit Redmond online at www.richredmond.com and www.crashcourseforsuccess.com.
