#2 | By Unlocking the Momentum Effect
Success leads to buzz leads to success!
Hello!
As an HR leader who frequently runs developmental programs, you would be familiar with how their impact can vary widely – and often wildly!
Through editions every three weeks of How Programs Fly, we aim to share our knowledge and toolkits to propel your programs to fly further, higher, and for longer.
Our previous edition focused on how the design ought to allow for participants to tap into their innate will to grow. You can find it here.
In this edition, we focus on the intersection of Program Management, Program Design, and Communication – a little place where the Momentum Effect is unlocked, where buzz is amplified, and where a program that flies for a while turns into a program that soars for long.
Right, let's get going!
In my opinion, the English language has chosen the perfect sound from nature to describe an "atmosphere of excitement and activity". It could've been 'bark' or 'purr' or 'moo', but 'buzz' does the job perfectly. Imagine, there are fifty bees flying far apart from each other. Decibel level: Manageable. No real buzz. Now imagine all fifty in a glass jar. Decibel level: Deafening. Exponential buzz!
'Buzz' indicates high energy, engagement, and interest... all essential features of any developmental program. They're essential, yes, but not innate.
This is where the metaphoric "glass jars", otherwise known as community management, enter the picture and set off a virtuous spiral...
They unlock the Momentum Effect, amplify buzz already present, raise the baseline of energy and engagement, boost participants' confidence to cross new milestones, and give sponsors a clear view of impact created.
I'll even go to the extent of saying this: in a leadership development program for, say, CXO successors, the best-designed program but with sub-par community management would most likely not be as impactful as a less sophisticated program with great community management.
How does all this happen? Read on.
Let's say a CXO successor is working on building a leadership habit. We know that, "over time, consistency beats intensity". But we also know that being consistent is easier said than done... because self-discipline and willpower both come in limited amounts.
To truly achieve consistency in, say, a workout habit, it isn't more willpower ("come on, push hard!") but rather a shift in beliefs about oneself ("I'm now someone who enjoys working out!") that makes the habit sustainable.
We also know that habit formation is less of a smooth twenty-one day ride, and more of Snakes & Ladders with successes and slip-ups.
The Momentum Effect helps with both: With successes, Tal Ben-Shahar likes to say, "whatever you appreciate appreciates". Put differently, it's about harvesting momentum already built up. And with slip-ups, it's about recharging momentum to rekindle energy.
Now, where does the Momentum Effect sit with L&OD programs?
We'll let Angus tell you.
Potentialife's co-founder, Angus Ridgway, knows a thing or two about using the Momentum Effect to good effect. He led the Leadership Development function globally for McKinsey & Co.
“Change is a momentum game. Leadership Development cannot be done by designing target competencies and expecting that leaders will come and tick all those boxes. Instead, it's achieved by creating personal change momentum and actively recharging that momentum continuously."
Potentialife's proprietary method has multiple community management touchpoints designed to do precisely what Angus is talking about, and they're baked into the DNA of every program. Some of them are:
Successful campaigns on WhatsApp (easier said than done!)
Hosting an 'Appreciation Shower' and 'Chain of Appreciation'
'Small Victory Huddles' as a continuous process
Capturing participant testimonials through a minimalist video format
No two cohorts are the same, and so, beyond this list is the tenacity to roll sleeves up from time to time to dynamically innovate and create a touchpoint that unlocks the Momentum Effect for the cohort in question.
From the above list of touchpoints, the fourth one is likely to sound the most difficult to pull off: "Doesn't it need a big budget? And a professional crew? And weeks of planning and execution?"
Well, not really. Capturing minimalist testimonial videos doesn't take much. Potentialife has a simple process. It's tried and tested, and we're happy to share it with you in a toolkit that contains all the information you need about it.
With it, you can unlock the Momentum Effect for a program you're currently running, or weave it into the design of one that's launching soon.
Read on for some quick singles on other touchpoints we've recently weaved into our programs.
We said it earlier, but it's worth repeating: No two cohorts are the same. Running L&OD programs is less of a cut-copy-paste job, and more about thinking on one's feet to innovate touchpoints that serve dynamic needs:
172: One of our senior cohorts working on culture just clocked 172 journal entries in their culture community board... That's critical mass for the sponsor who now feels confident and ready to move from experimenting to embedding the culture
30/50: We contacted 50 participants of a large cohort for a recorded experience sharing session... 30 managed their calendars and showed up, and this created a lot of energy for everyone!
4: We ran four one-week campaigns with custom-created icons to help participants share their small victories. A participant then volunteered to create illustrations at the start of each week, and another recorded short videos. Engagement on WhatsApp isn't easy – but that's the opportunity!
And finally...
9: We recently wrapped up a 9th cohort at a well-known Sensex company. All 9 were very different, thanks to different participant demographics... and hence, specific touchpoints for each individual cohort
Customizing our programs – even spontaneously – gives us joy in the moment, and a feeling of fulfilment looking back!
Now, L&OD programs aside, the metaphoric "glass jar" can also unlock the Momentum Effect in our personal lives when we're working on building habits.
Have you tried Small Victories Journaling? It's a practical way to celebrate any and all progress we've made, using some or all of these prompts:
What habit are you working on?
What progress or milestone are you proud of?
What approach has worked well for you?
How is all this making you feel?
For instance, "I've been building the habit of cycling every morning. In February, I managed to go on average four times every week! I think turning the lights out at 11:30 PM and joining a cycling group has helped me be regular... I'm incredibly thrilled - and motivated to go on!"
Create a journaling routine that works for you. Use a dedicated notebook or a Google Sheet. Do it weekly or fortnightly. Share what you've penned with someone who's working on a similar habit, or just keep it private.
All said and done, Small Victories Journaling done however you choose to do it is a powerful tool to spur you on towards building sustainable habits.
This edition focused on another design element that helps programs fly. Let's close with three ideas that sum it up:
The Momentum Effect is what turns a program that flies for a while into a program that soars for long
The program's design must include preplanned touchpoints that unlock the Momentum Effect, as well as the flexibility to create more dynamically
Doing this magnifies buzz created, raises the baseline of participant energy and commitment, and helps sponsors see the impact created
In Edition 3, we look at women's leadership development programs, and how success may lie in helping women leaders find solutions with an inner locus of control, thus focusing away from what the organization needs to do to support them.
We love playing the role of thought partners, so if you need more information or have something to ask, we're happy to set up an informal interaction with you, no strings attached.
Until the next edition!
