The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact

The Merit Badges are presented to the Scout at a “Court of Honor,” where the Scouts are recognized in front of their peers. That’s a peak. Similarly, karate students who earn belts—from the novice’s white belt to the expert’s black belt—often receive them at public award ceremonies.

Is there a way to channel this same spirit inside organizations—to counteract the “command and control” culture of goals and plans? A wise leader can look for milestones en route to a larger goal. Let’s say your group has been tasked with boosting customer satisfaction by 20% by the end of the third quarter. You might have no control over that goal

preloaded plan. Gollwitzer calls these plans “implementation intentions,”4 and often the trigger for the plan is as simple as a time and place: When I leave work today, I’m going to drive straight to the gym.

elements later, but for now, let’s focus on elevation. To elevate a moment, do three things: First, boost sensory appeal. Second, raise the stakes. Third, break the script. (Breaking the script means to violate expectations about an experience—the next chapter is devoted to the concept.) Moments of elevation need not have all three elements but mos

In organizations, mentorship can take a stronger form. High standards + assurance is a powerful formula, but ultimately it’s just a statement of expectations. What great mentors do is add two more elements: direction and support. I have high expectations for you and I know you can meet them. So try this new

To trip is to catch one’s foot on something and stumble. To trip over the truth is to catch one’s brain on something and struggle. What exactly is the “something” that your brain catches on?

Transitions should be marked, milestones commemorated, and pits filled.

Mark Twain said, “Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear—not absence of fear.”

many people believe they need to find their calling, as though it were a “magical entity that exists in the world waiting to be discovered.”6 She believes purpose isn’t discovered, it’s cultivated.