North Star Writers Group

I entered an office tower the other day and headed for the elevators. No one was waiting there so I pushed the “Up” button. The white button lit up and turned a bright orange.

Then someone came up on my left, looked at the elevators, looked at me and then pushed the brightly lit orange “Up” button. He backed away and waited for about three seconds. He then stepped forward and pushed the brightly lit button again. Someone then came up on my right and headed straight for the button. This time he pressed the button three times fast and parked himself in front of it. Within two seconds, he pressed the button like he was operating a jackhammer. You know the sound: Dah-dah-dah-dah-dah-dah-dah!

I have watched this same scene thousands of times. But, here’s the question: “Does pushing the elevator button numerous times and by different people help bring the elevator faster? I called the experts to find out.

I spoke with the service center at the Otis Elevator Company, one of the oldest and best-known elevator companies in the world. I asked the question and this is what I learned. Pressing the button more than once only wears out the button! It does nothing to influence the movement of the elevator. The Service Manager even told me, “Some people think they can communicate with the elevator through Morse code. They can’t. It will not come any faster because you pressed the button again.”

Now here’s the real question, “Where else in our lives do we use this ‘push button’ approach?” Where else do we do the same thing every time even though it doesn’t work?

If you’re a leader, think about how you “motivate” your employees. What’s your “thing?” What do you do that you think works? Now, go ahead and be bold. Ask your employees if what you do really does motivate them. You’ll often find your “thing” is as effective as pushing the brightly lit orange button more than once.

Now pressing the elevator button numerous times does not actually bother the elevator. However, people do not like it when we repeatedly press their buttons. They get annoyed, frustrated or simply bored with our ineffective tactics. And while elevators don’t talk to other elevators about our behavior, people do. They magnify our poor choices by telling others.

Employees do not respond to “tips and tricks.” They respond to your personal interest and attention. They are positively influenced by you when they know that you have their best interests in mind. They listen to you when you communicate in a way that makes sense to them.

The good news is that we can exchange our “button pressing” for more effective actions. Just ask your employees what to do. Ask each of your employees what motivates them. Ask them how they like to be recognized. Ask them how they like you to share good news with them. Ask them how they like you to share constructive feedback with them. Ask them how often they want you to check in. Your time is best spent finding out what inspires each of your employees, not doing the same old thing with everyone.

Watch the faces of your employees when you ask these questions. They will be wide-eyed and happy you asked. Act on their answers and really watch what happens – you will be seen as a leader who inspires employees to achieve their best.

So the next time you reach to push the elevator button twice, let it remind you to check your leadership and management habits. You’ll be happy you did, and your employees will enjoy the ride!

David J. Pollay is a syndicated columnist, and an internationally sought-after speaker and teacher on how to build positive momentum in your business and life. Mr. Pollay is the founder and president of TheMomentumProject.com, a strengths-based leadership and consulting organization with offices in Delray Beach, Florida and Washington, D.C. Prior to founding The Momentum Project, he held senior leadership positions at Yahoo!, MasterCard, Global Payments, and AIESEC. Mr. Pollay holds a Master’s Degree in Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, and an Economics Degree from Yale University. Email him your stories at david@themomentumproject.com, or call 561.265.1165.

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