There are many ways to improve productivity. When hockey coaches substitute a goalie for no apparent reason, they are looking to spark a response by making a change. This same approach can be used in business or with any group you lead or manage. It is all about the difference you make and the message that is sent.
Making A Change Breaks Comfort
The best outcome of a change is that it will cause discomfort. I am not talking about the painful kind but instead getting people out of their comfort zone. This is a way to get a group out of a rut and produce activity. Sometimes it helps to explain why the change was made. However, there are times when you get more from a turn when the reasoning is not clear. In those latter situations, you might scare members away, but more often you spark the team to come together. The members all experience the change and itis natural for them to gather to discuss what it means. Of course, making even a tweak can cause distractions, so it is crucial to manage the message it sends.
A Familiar View
If you have ever spent time on a trip or in a waiting room staring at a view that is static or at least staying primarily the same, you know where that leads. Sleep. It is easy to drift or even fall asleep when the scenery is unchanging. Our daily grind can be the same way when it feels unchanging. Thus, even a little change can spark us back awake and get us back focused on the job at hand.
