Motivating People: Lessons From Captain Ahab

03/06/07

A few nights ago, I watched the classic movie Moby Dick for at least the third time. It was every bit as good as I remembered, especially the motivational scene by Captain Ahab (Gregory Peck). What he did was a great example of group motivation.

Ahab took out a Spanish gold doubloon, picked up a hammer, and nailed it to the Pequod’s mast as a reward for the first sailor who sighted Moby Dick. That was enough to make everyone aboard, including the ship’s cat, want to run out and buy a spyglass.

If you need to inspire the members of your crew, try borrowing a page from Herman Melville’s book. Captain Ahab’s contest had at least six qualities that made it a powerful motivator for his crew or anyone else’s. What were they?

The reward was worthwhile and displayed where people would see it every day.

The potential payoff made everyone feel a personal stake in the voyage’s success.

The playing field was level; each crew member had a chance to win.

Success could be measured objectively. The quarry was white, really big, and had a deformed lower jaw.

The winner would be the envy of his peers and relatively affluent (at least until the next shore leave).

This isn’t rocket, or even marine, science. Few things inspire a group more than competition that has these qualities. Your crew probably has a broader range of needs than Ahab’s, however, so it’s a good idea to let the winner choose from several possible awards. Some possibilities:

Gift certificates for products or services.

Cash bonuses, or additional paid vacation days.

If you don’t have a mast or hammer handy, post a list or reproductions of the prize on bulletin boards in high-traffic areas.

Contests that are open to everyone and have meaningful rewards, not merely tokens or a one-size-fits-all prize, generate competition and motivate peak performance. Your people can have a whale of a good time while helping you get a leg up on your competition.