- Natural Selection
No, I don’t mean in the Darwinian sense. I observed that the circus folks gave every kid the chance to try out all of the activities in the first two days of the week-long camp, including acrobatics, pyramids, tightrope walking, juggling, plate spinning, etc. Then each child got the opportunity to select two “acts” to perfect during the last three days of the camp, which culminated with an evening performance for the community. It was fascinating to watch the kids during the first two days, as they tried out activities that called to them.
Allowing your work team members to try out different roles and have a voice in determining which roles they will fill can have the same magical results that the kids experienced at circus camp. Once the kids had selected and been assigned to their acts, they suddenly adopted and embraced these roles as their identity because, having selected these roles, they were more deeply committed to succeeding. To a child, the acts they selected were some combination of their interests and natural talents. What was surprising is that those kids who selected something they were interested in, but for which they didn’t have a natural talent, stretched themselves beyond what one would expect is possible in one short week. One young lady, who struggled in the beginning, having her heart set on being a tumbler and acrobat, inspired adults and other kids as she continued to practice until she was amazingly good. Everyone could feel the pride she emanated.
- Everyone’s In

- Practice Is Perfect

- Stylin’

- The Show’s The Thing
My work with organizations has always been about purpose and harmony—which were the beautiful underpinnings of the circus camp experience. Everyone involved understood that our common goal was to pull off the most amazing circus performance possible by Friday night. The kids knew they’d have family members in the audience, and wanted their families to be proud of them. Sets were painted, scenery sewn, programs printed, and acts pulled together around an Eastern Shore-themed story, and the energy surge as the week progressed was palpable. Once the school gym was filled, the music began, and the curtain went up, everyone moved through his or her paces like a troupe that had performed together for years. It was clear that, just like adults, kids get a deep of satisfaction from knowing their shared goal and then understanding their personal role in achieving it. We all worked hard and had fun doing it. Isn’t that what every workplace should feel like?
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