..especially when you are not in a position of power? This is a question that challenges me regularly in my personal and professional life.
I'm going to use this blog to note approaches that has worked for me. It'll be a reference note for future self and anyone that might face this challenge.
Make it a shared goal
Communication is important here. I found that instead of framing a task like a chore they should do, frame it as something you can do together to achieve a commonly achievable goal. For example, cleaning a room.
"Guys, let's clean the room after each meeting" can be better phrased as "Let's spend 5 minutes cleaning this room so that it's easy to find our items meetings after meetings."
This is an example. The point is to set a specific, small goal with common benefit so that the task seem less daunting and more achievable.
Lead by example
Be the change you want to see. My father always tell me and i believe Micheal Jackson sang about this. The reason why this works is deeply rooted in behavioural science. If your act or task leads to a positive outcome, people will naturally gravitate to it. In software engineering, I'm a fan of documentation: README files, automated tests, confluence documents or code comments, i love them. They are critical components that reduce friction and accelerate knowledge transfer.
A lot of the time when i join a team or mentoring a developer, i find myself trying to influence this good act. This is what i do that works.
I start by consistently updating and adding documentation to any code or project i touch. The goal is to make this a normal constant part of your routine and not let the negative feeling of lack overcome me. When i see a project without readme file for example, i add one without complaining or making a fuss.
I found that over time, others start start to follow suit.
This aligns with the principles of Social proof by Robert Cialdini, which suggests the more people who sees any idea to be correct or beneficial, the more a given individual will perceive the idea to be correct.
Make it Fun
I have my wife and son to thank for making me have this technique in my arsenal. Adding fun changes the emotional context of a task.
Turn the task into a game.
Put on some fun music.
Race to see who can finish a task the fastest.
Offer a small reward for finishing a task.
Turn it into a fun routine, "Readme hour", "Cleanup saturday".
I found that these changes the perception of a task from a chore to a more enjoyable activity.
Principles of gamification by Zichermann & Cunningham in Gamification by Design support this as a way to engage others and solve problems.
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Reinforce Positive Behavior**
Appreciate, appreciate, appreciate. When your team or partner does the task, acknowledge and appreciate their effort.
"I know this isn't easy, and i really value that you gave it a shot"
"Your effort here makes a big difference even if it is not obvious yet"
"Thank you for cleaning the kitchen, it looks great!" goes a long way. This positive reinforcement makes them feel good about their contribution and more likely to do it again.
Add recognition or visibility to their effort to build goodwill and trust.
A post in team's chat group. A post on social media. A mention in a speech.
Acknowlegment and recognition are the real engines of change.
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