Over the years we've noticed many organizations who have an emotionally healthy workplace culture also have a story from their history about team sacrifice.
Whether the organization is a start-up, fighting for survival or trying to expand to handle tremendous growth - team members will rise to the challenge and the culture will often be better for it.
If they feel cared about, team members will gladly go the extra mile, "take one for the team" and go outside of their comfort zone when there is a compelling reason.
Satisfaction arises from doing something well.
Engagement arises from contributing to something meaningful.
Fulfillment comes from feeling good about doing something well that contributes to something meaningful.
When team members sacrifice together for something bigger and greater than themselves (the mission), and succeed, a tremendous sense of camaraderie and bonding occurs Trust, respect and appreciation is enhanced throughout the organization as each individual recognizes both the importance of their individual contribution as well as that of their colleagues.
Five cornerstones for sacrifice to lead to shared identity and pride:
1) Everyone within the organization makes a sacrifice. If one person on the team is coddled or free from the impact of the "shared suffering," sacrifices will create resentment.
2) The organization's vision must be both inspiring and compelling. We're in it to win it for the greater good. Not for the bottom-line, unless the bottom-line feeds into how we create greater good. Talk about the greater good that will be achieved through the sacrifice. Remember numbers feel cold when people are putting their sweat and tears on the line to help your organization succeed. Share the vision of impactful potential.
3) Tell the story well and often of why and how. Team members really need to understand why the organization needs them to make a sacrifice. How did the organization get into the situation it's in? And how will their individual and collective sacrifice truly make the difference? What will the organization gain if they make their sacrifice?
4) Sacrifice can't be long term. We'll all take one for the team. However will we take two, three, four? And by five, it's no longer taking one for the team, it's a chronic problem that begins to weigh everyone down like an anvil.
5) Success as a result of the sacrifice. The sacrifice has to have made a visible difference. In order for it to go down into the positive history of the organization in a story that is shared with excitement with new hires, the sweat and tears must be the sustenance that allowed the organization to succeed.
To ask your team members to sacrifice is no small thing. Just make sure when you do you take the steps to arrive at a stronger organizational culture rather than to the depths of resentment and frustration.
