Extreme effort, frequent frustrations?

Turnarounds and other transformations can feel like that. Greek mythology considered this scenario a punishment: Sisyphos was condemned to maximum effort and daily setbacks.

Facing so many setbacks, how can we sustain our turnaround efforts?

Interestingly, Indian mythology also had a man rolling a rock uphill every day. But amazingly, this guy enjoyed the procedure. So, how to become a Naranath Bhranthan rather than a Sisyphos?

One way is to learn to expect fewer successes.

Our “reward” neurotransmitter dopamine helps with this; it stays elevated as successes becomes rare, keeping our spirits up. You can support this mechanism by noticing and celebrating not only the big, but also the smaller victories.

But wouldn’t it be much better to not even depend on success?

To naturally choose the harder task? Because you enjoy the challenge, irrespective of outcome? This is probably a good mode during turnaround (if less so during business-as-usual).

Fascinating new experiments show that this can be achieved by rewarding people for choosing the harder task (rather than rewarding them for results only). What leadership skills do you need for this?

One, being able to judge the effort required; you must have some understanding of the actual work that is necessary. Two, rewarding people in the process; you must have touchpoints throughout, not only to see the results.

And remember: “Money … is very often the most expensive way to motivate people” (Dan Ariely). Many people will appreciate other rewards just as much, such as genuine interest in their work and friendly support.