Think back to the carefree days of summer camp. Remember
the excitement of meeting your counselor? If a counselor
jumped into an icy-cold creek, it's likely the rest of the
campers followed. Your counselor had the entire cabin
cheerfully scrapping dried spaghetti off plates as part of
clean-up duties. A majority of the camp experience
correlated to the counselor's attitude and behavior. In the
same way, the leadership style of camp counselors transfers
over to the world of business also.
Camp counselors display leadership. They are the ones
saying, "Let's get this cabin cleaned up so we can win the
Pink Flamingo award!" Yes, the familiar "Management by
Walking Around" has its merit. Yet it also takes a leader
to make suggestions, set an example and actually do
something to inspire employees and attendees. As a
professional speaker, I frequently work with business
people. A few months ago, I arrived early to set up my
props for my keynote. The meeting planner and her committee
stood in the ballroom, deciding where to place balloons for
decorations. She asked questions such as, "Should we put
balloons around the head table?" What do you think about
balloons next to the main door? Should the red balloons be
separate from the blue ones?" "Anyone have any ideas?" Well
meaning as she was, attendees were waiting to enter the
room while 200 balloons waited to get blown up and placed
around the room. Sometimes business professionals are so
busy making sure they work as a "team" that no one takes a
leadership role. Someone with camp counselor leadership
would encourage some discussion, and then say, "Look, we
have 20 minutes to get these balloons up before people
arrive. Jeff and Marion, would you take half these balloons
and put them by the entrance? The other half can be placed
around the head table. Thanks! " In some cases, leadership
simply means taking control and delegating people to do
certain tasks.
Camp counselors encourage risk taking. It's a good thing
mothers aren't at camp to see their children harnessed on a
zip line zooming across a canyon. Instead of telling
children, "be careful", camp counselors are yelling, "You
can do it!" Way to go!" Counselors encourage risk taking.
Job seekers at Microsoft are frequently asked, "What kind
of risks did you take on your last job? What did you learn
from that experience?" Microsoft looks for people willing
to take a risk, knowing it could result in a new product or
service. Are brainstorming sessions at work predictable
and well... a little boring? Show your employees are
willing to take risks. Jimmy Johnson, a coach for the
Dallas Cowboys said "Do you want to be safe and good, or do
you want to take a chance and be great?" Camp Counselors
are fun! When a counselor is placidly floating in an inner
tube, only to be tipped by a group of ten-year-olds, what
does he do? A camp counselor laughs, spits water from his
mouth and begins dunking all the campers within reach. The
water churns with flailing arms, tipped inner tubes and
peals of laughter. For the next week, campers giggle and
say, "Wasn't that cool how we snuck up behind Steven and
tipped him from the inner tube?" The group has a lasting
bond, knowing they shared a fun experience together. I've
worked with groups where people are hesitant to ask their
supervisor a question because he or she is so stressed out.
Try putting some fun back into the workplace. This
doesn't mean everyone must wear red noses and blow kazoos.
How about asking people to come to a staff meeting with a
picture of their favorite pet? Put up a bulletin board so
people can display pictures of their new cat or their
beloved Rover wearing a pointed party hat. Give out simple
awards such as a Good and Plenty candy bar to someone for
always having plenty of good ideas. Celebrate some
untraditional holidays such as National Bubble Wrap Day or
Ugly Tie Day. A bit of fun and light-hearted humor goes a
long way to increase attendee productivity and enjoyment.
Next time you are looking to improve your leadership
skills, why not invite a college student who was a camp
counselor last summer to lunch? Have them share their
insight in how they manage to inspire, educate and motivate
groups of energetic children. The counselor's tips might
help you inspire, educate and motivate fellow employees.
----------------------------------------------------
Silvana Clark is a business speaker, encouraging businesses
to reduce stress and increase productivity by adapting the
"Camp Counselor" style of management. Her lively,
interactive training sessions give practical ideas on
motivating staff and incorporating humor in the workplace.
S'mores included! http://www.silvanaclark.com
silvanac@msn.com
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