How Symbols Motivate Us
Artifacts connect us to our work and boost performance
The Maori warriors would use stealth to consolidate their forces and approach their enemy. At night time they would scout and travel the terrain. To guide their forces they would use the leaves of the native Silver Fern. When this leaf is turned upside down the underside of the leaf would reflect the moonlight with its silver-like reflective surface. They would lay the ferns out like bread crumbs for other warriors to follow - the fern represented 'the way forward'. Then when they returned home the last warrior would turn the leaves over so they could not be followed.
Jamie, our tour guide during our Redwood Tree-Line Walk (a must do by the way!) talked us through this story and hence, the fern's sacred place as a symbol of the Maori People and New Zealand as a whole. It is why generally all national sporting teams and armed forces have the Silver Fern leaf present on their logos and uniforms. The fern has symbolised Strength, Stubborn Resistance, and Enduring Power to the New Zealand people since the 1880s.
This is a strongly defined symbol of 'who we are' and 'how we do things' for New Zealand's top athletes and servicemen/women. James Kerr details this beautifully in his book Legacy, where he describes the mantras the All Blacks Rugby Team live by.
Daniel Hughes, the author of The Barcelona Way discusses another famous high performance sporting culture - Barcelona Football Club. Here Hughes talks about the importance of Symbolic Artifacts and having them visually present in offices, entrances, and signage. Some examples given include the huge lamp outside of Pixar headquarters and the giant rock hammer as you approach the San Antonio Spurs' (basketball) facility.
Their catch cry is Pound The Rock! The idea that 1% better every day will yield significant progress.
Pound The Rock: The quote that has hung in the San Antonio Spurs' dressing room for two decades reminding players of the club's heritage and the mindset required to win.
Every single organisation, department, and the team have an opportunity to visually display their heritage and create meaning and purpose to their work beyond the next quarter's targets. Sometimes we feel that we need to have a heritage story like The All Blacks, but it could be something relating to your current team right now, even if you have only worked together for 12 months. Find that one thing that binds you, is relevant, and is meaningful to 'who you are' and 'how you do things around here'. You may use the organisation's founding symbols. They are there if you look for them.
Find your Silver Fern. Have fun with it. Or, if you already have a symbol lying dormant, see if you can revive it to connect your people together and boost your tribe's performance.
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