What does “The Worst Song Ever” have to do with collaboration?
Debra Em
I took my daughter and her friend to see Disney on Ice’s Frozen. By now, I think just about everyone knows the chorus line, “Let it go. Let it go . . . the cold never bothered me anyway!” Yes, the song, “Let it Go” was voted the worst song ever by parents because they got so tired of hearing it played over and over and over and over again by their children. Back at the MODA Center in Portland, as the big moment arrived and the long awaited “Let It Go” song was sung to the glee of every child there, my mind (which often goes in directions that no mind should go) started thinking about the theme of the song . . . letting go. When do we let go when it comes to collaborating with others? As a fan of collaboration, devoting pretty much my adult lifetime to figuring out how we can do it better, I start every workshop with the 2-6-2 rule. On Nov. 3rd, I’ll be presenting an Online Blended Course to the great staff members of Rockville Centre, New York. The twenty staff members joining me are a beautiful mix of teachers, therapists, APE, PE, speech pathologists, special education support—a lovely collaborative team.
I am posting this blog for them, and as part of their online course, they will be responding to this blog.
In plain English, the 2-6-2 goes like this:
In any organization, 20% of the folks will be eager, open, enthusiastic, and willing to learn new stuff. They will joyously join with the choir and sing “Let It Go” even if they’ve heard it sung a million times.
60% will sit in the stands and watch the 20% sing and decide to join in only if they are convinced that there is something to be gained by singing along.
AND . . .
20% don’t budge, meaning, no matter what you do or say, they won’t sing and may even despise, disparage, or discourage those who do.
Now the unfortunate thing is that our minds are wired to focus on the negative in order to keep us out of danger. When it comes to the 2-6-2 and collaborating with other team members, focus on the eager 20%, and the 60% will join you as they see positive results. The other 20%, well, now you see where I’m going with this . . . yes, “let them go, let them go.” Do not let their disinterest dissuade you from doing good deeds and moving forward with new strategies, inspiring methods, and singing a happy little tune while you are at it.
Whenever you encounter the naysayers, whenever they try to let the wind out of your sails, whenever they become cranky at staff meetings? Start singing the song that drives parents crazy but can actually save our sanity, “Let it go, let it go . . . the cold never bothered me anyway!”
For today’s blog response, tell us who are your eager 20%, and what is your action plan to get them involved and hopefully pull in the other 60%? What will make them sing along with you?