One of the most important topics to leaders is the subject of momentum. We all know what momentum looks like but it is hard to define. The best definition I have heard is that momentum is when many positive things are all happening at the same time. Momentum is something all leaders crave.
Because we are so desperate for momentum, leaders must identify the key success links to creating and generating it. Leaders can do some very practical things that can generate momentum.
On Thursday evening April 12th, the New York Rangers defeated the Ottawa Senators to take a 1-0 series lead. www.SI.com columnist Sarah Kwak stated the key to the Rangers win was momentum.
The following are key ingredients to generating the all-elusive momentum that I was able to glean from her post. To read her entire article, click here. Now onto the list.
- Stop And Relax – With the Rangers holding a slight lead, head coach John Tortorella called a timeout in hopes of improving performance. To generate momentum, leaders must first slow down and STOP. Do not confuse Stopping at this stage with passivity. Stopping for the purpose of generating momentum is a strategic decision but it must be immediately followed by the next five steps.
- Embrace Your Routine – Tortorella calls many timeouts a game. However, it was during something routine like a timeout that he generated momentum. There are “little things” leaders do on a daily basis that should not be taken for granted.
- Re-Focus On Fundamentals – The Rangers were making many sloppy mistakes with the puck. To generate momentum, you must focus on doing the fundamentals of your job well.
- Go On The Offensive – After the timeout, the Rangers took six unanswered shots in a six-minutes time period. This resulted in two goals which blew the game open. To generate momentum, leaders must make things happen.
- Energy Bursts – The game was evenly played except for those six minutes. The lesson for leaders is that great momentum can be generated in short periods (bursts) of time. There are periods during each day when you are at peak performance. It is during those times, that you must maximize your production.
- Utilize Your Top Talent – To help sustain the momentum created, goaltender Henrik Lundqvist played a great game finishing with 30 saves. Tortorella said, “He was really good when they surged on us. We settled ourselves down. We didn’t get hurt. Our goaltender was really good at that time and then we found a way.” When it comes to not only generating but also sustaining momentum, leaders must prioritize putting their top talent is a position to succeed.
To generate momentum you must Strategically Stop, Breath, Embrace Your Routine, Re-Focus On Fundamentals, Go On The Offensive, Use Energy Bursts, and Utilize Your Top Talent.Â
Another lesson all experienced leaders know is that momentum shifts are inevitable. Positive and negative momentum are opposite sides of the same coin. Therefore, utilizing the lessons above will make a HUGE difference in your team’s performance when times become difficult.
Leaders, what other lessons would you add about the subject of momentum?
Enter your email address here and start receiving future posts from this site.
Download your FREE copy of my new eBook The 2011 Year In Hollywood Movies – Leadership Edition today by clicking here.