Gung Ho
An easy read that highlights the steps to increasing productivity by fostering excellent workplace morale.
Based on a storyline with the key figures being a new General Manager, Peggy Sinclair and a Native American Dept Manager, Andy Longclaw. They embark on a plan to save against the odds, a loss making plant full of poor management.
Andy explains that “Gung Ho” is apparently chinese for “working together” and the slogan of Carlsons Raiders in WW2 a troop formed shortly after Pearl Harbour. A subsequent movie made the term famous and described boundless energy, enthusiasm and dedication to the task.
Peggy soon works out that Andy has a very productive department and that he is her only hope of success. They strike up a great relationship and Andy starts to introduce Peggy progressively how he has created such a motivated department, based on his old Grandfathers Indian philosophy which comes in 3 stages.
First comes Spirit of the Squirrel which related to people needing to know that their work is “worthwhile” and serves a purpose, and leads to a well understood and shared goal, whilst recognising a set of values that guides all decisions, actions and plans…. supporting one of the key human emotions – self esteem.
Secondly the “Way of the Beaver” is about empowerment and trust, placing the person in control of achieving the goal. Once the leader knows where they are going, you should leave and empower the team to get you to the goal. This means creating the rules and the playing field or boundaries, respecting thoughts and needs and dreams, listening and acting upon them. A final part of the way of the beaver is that the task should be challenging but possible to support belief that they are chasing something achievable. If it’s not challenging people also feel cheated so easy targets are not empowering.
The final key is “The Gift of The Goose”…. and cheering others on. In other words… positive affirmation or “True Congratulations”. It needs to be genuine and True stands for Timely, Responsive, Unconditional and Enthusiastic. It is about cheering progress… not just the result. Catching each other doing the right thing is contagious.
Well, as you can imagine, Peggy and Andy are successful in pulling off there plan and you’ll not only find this an easy and enjoyable read… but learn a whole set of tips and steps to apply with you team… starting today!
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