An Object in Motion...

Newton's first law was the law of inertia, or motion. Simply put, it states, "An object in motion remains in motion unless acted upon by an outside, unbalanced force."

I have often thought of how these laws, in a metaphysical sense, apply to us as human beings. Through a conversation with a friend, I came to understand this law a little better recently.

It is true that each of us is a creature of energy and in our world this law is also applicable. If we are looked upon as objects, the direction we choose to go is the force of our motion. We will remain in this motion until we are given a reason to change that motion.

Simply put, here is Newton's Law of Motion for human behavior: "A person will not change unless they are given a good enough reason to change."

In the workplace this law has immediate application. There are really two kinds of workplace problems:

1. Skill Set Misalignment
2. Values Misalignment

Notice how I didn't put "personality misalignment." Personality fit is usually not a problem as long as there is skill set alignment and value alignment. We can deal with the personality quirks - just not the other two.

To set a person in a better motion, aligned & attuned to the motions of others within the company, they must be steered to choose to align themselves. Unlike an inanimate object that can merely be pushed or stopped by force, people can only change their motion by their own free will - hence, they must be given a reason to change their motion.

To apply this to your situation, if the person in motion is out of tune with the skill set needs, show them first where the misalignment is, then show them the benefits of increasing their skill set. Finally, show them ways they can make up the gap and recognize them for their new skills by placing them in positions to use those new skills.

If the person in motion is misaligned with the organization's values, first show them the misalignment and that the organization's motion is heading in a direction other than their own, and that eventually, there will be a great divide between the two objects. Show them the benefits of attuning their motion to that of the organization's and then provide them with resources to make the choices to re-direct. These resources include coaching, 360 degree feedback, regular reviews and discussions, and recognition for any changes that are being made.

Nevertheless, with all of these tools the organization can provide, these reasons for change may not be enough. Certain values cannot change without significant reasons for change, such as deep pain, suffering or a personal, if not spiritual, transformation. However, these types of experiences the organization cannot offer.

Be prepared to recognize the ever increasing divide in the motion of two objects misaligned on values and to let them part ways. Doing so is the best for all parties. People will never change unless they are given a good enough reason to change.

An organization with a noble direction, with its employees harmonized in that same motion, create an inertia, or synergy that can do amazing things. Never let the dissonant tones of misaligned people destroy the motion of the whole.