Little Frogs: Motivation and the Pygmalion Effect

I just reviewed the cutest and most profoundly simple approach to encouragement in the workplace. It's called LITTLE FROGS, and it's an animated show by SpiritClips that illustrates the power encouragement (real or perceived) can have on outcomes. 

Little Frogs looks at the simple truth that encouragement and believing in yourself and others can inspire us to do things that we (and others) think are impossible. I won't give away the "surprise" one frog has in this short motivational film, but when certain actions are misinterpreted,  incredible things happen.

View (and buy, of course) this uplifting motivating program - Little Frogs.Or, go deeper with the the Pygmalion Effect: Managing the Power of Expectations, a more serious look at the the power of the self-fulfilling prophesy, or catch the link between perceptions and performance with Jane Elliott's Eye of the Storm or Indra Lahiri's Brown Eyes, Blue Eyes: Linking Perceptions and Performance.  Different approaches for the all the different Little Frogs in your organization.

Anyone Can Be An Ally

The "godfather" of gay sensitivity training, Brian McNaught, is featured in the new release Anyone Can Be An Ally; Speaking Up for an LGBT Inclusive Workplace

Many organizations are in a war for talent. To attract and retain the best and brightest talents, and to secure their fair share of the marketplace (where applicable), organizations need to create a workplace in which everyone feels welcome. When gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people don't feel safe and valued at work, productivity goes down, and organizations fail in their efforts to attract and retain the best and brightest talent. 

Dubbed by the NY Times as "the godfather of gay sensitivity training," Brian McNaught demonstrates how anyone can be an ally to create a respectful workplace that is inclusive of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender co-workers. Many organizations have polices in place to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual an transgender members of the workplace. But does their culture match their policies? "Policies do not change the culture, people and behaviors change the culture." It is important to note that McNaught advocates that he is not trying to change beliefs, but change inappropriate behaviors . "This is not about anyone changing his or her personal values, but rather changing inappropriate behaviors at work. We are all free to think whatever we want to about other people, but we can't impose those beliefs on our colleagues at work."

Can you teach your employees the skills they need to create an inclusive workplace? Yes, if you teach them that when you hear an inappropriate comment, say something, and say it with a confident voice. You may never fully know how much of a positive impact you've had on the lives of other people and on the workplace culture.

"In this short 14-minute video, Brian McNaught offers what we need to know, say and do as allies- in a way that is compelling, informative and actionable. If you are looking for guidance about language choices, when to speak up, and how to foster inclusion as an authentic LGBT ally, this video5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 6.1;actice) is all you need to have the confidence and capability to make a difference," Deb Dagit, Global Head of Diversity & Inclusion, Merck  &Co.

Speaking up for respect is always the right thing to do. Allies have the power to change the culture and anyone can be an ally.

The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem; Speaking Up In A Disrespectful Workplace

In his book, The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem, Nathaniel Branden shares the following:

A woman is at a cocktail party where she hears someone make an ugly racial slur that causes her inwardly to cringe. She wants to say, "I found that offensive." She knows that evil gathers momentum by being uncontested. But she is afraid of evoking disapproval. In embarrassment she looks away and says nothing. Later, to appease her sense of uneasiness, she tells herself, "What difference does it make? The man was a fool." But her self-esteem knows what difference it makes.

The above exchange could have easily taken place in the workplace. And the comment doesn't have to be racist to make us feel uncomfortable or to 'inwardly cringe.' When we don't speak up or allow fear of disapproval or embarrassment to stop us from speaking up, we are allowing these attitudes and behaviors to thrive.

When you hear a disrespectful comment or joke, you have a choice. Reinforce it by laughing or joining in. Tolerate it by saying nothing, which is what most people do. Or learn the skills to speak up and become an ally, the hardest thing of all.

Want to try it? Try Ouch! That Stereotype Hurts and Ouch! Your Silence Hurts. Both motivate and empower bystanders to use their voice to speak up for respect on behalf of someone else.