How do you move a 4-ton elephant? It sounds like the opening line of a joke, but in Africa, it was a serious problem. A zoo wanted to retire an elephant and move it into a sanctuary for its final years, but this necessitated an hour-long transport.
An “elephant mover specialist” was brought in to do the job. Instead of tranquilizing the elephant, he trained it to associate a “training wall” with treats. This wall resembled one side of the transport cage, so ultimately the elephant willingly walked into the container and was moved.
I think of all the supervisors who do the equivalent of tranquilizing their employees — using their power over their team — instead of spending the time to demonstrate and reward the desired behaviors. It may work in the short term, but to have true long-term success you need to help your staff willingly do what you need them to do. Be like an elephant and never forget that principle!
Source: Need to relocate a 4-ton animal? Call elephant movers. By Gerald Imray for the Associated Press
