The best way to achieve a top performing team is to drug them.

In a good way, of course.

The drug of choice is oxytocin, “a brain peptide known to promote positive intersocial relations” previously relegated to intimate relationships, but, based on new research by Dr. Gert-Jan Pepping, a researcher at the Center for Human Movement Sciences at the University of Groningen in The Netherlands, one that seems to play a significant role in team sports.

“In any social setting that requires some form of social interaction, be it cooperation, trust or competition, we require social information to guide our behavior and a nervous system and associated brain chemicals that are sensitive to this social information.”

While the good doctor is focused on athletic teams what hit me was the applicability to the teams found in businesses of all kinds and at all levels.

Think about it, people tend to separate the personal and professional with language, but call them what you will all human contact revolves around relationships

We’ve all seen or heard about brilliant managers who created teams that went above and beyond and in doing so creamed their competition.

Looking at the companies and teams of managers known for the passion they instill (think Steve Jobs), the high productivity, creativity, drive and fanatical loyalty, both to the company and each other, can you doubt the presence of high levels of oxytocin?

The good news is that oxytocin production is catching, so by being a good boss you can increase the feelings and reactions that produce oxytocin—even among the more lackadaisical members of your team.

“Even when you don’t much like sports, watching others high-five and leap about the living room after their favored team scores will lead “your body to release oxytocin.”

Cheering your team on, recognizing efforts, celebrating accomplishments, both large and small, and other similar actions creates an environment conducive to the production of oxytocin.

But be warned; your people aren’t stupid and will know if you’re faking, so be sure both your attitude and actions are authentic.

Image credit: Wikipedia

This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 28th, 2012 at 1:15 am and is filed under Culture, Motivation, Retention. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
Tags: creativity, management approach, MAP (mindset attitude philosophy), passion, productivity
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