Do you remember playing Not It! as a kid?
Do you remember playing Not It! as a kid? Someone, likely a teacher or parent, would ask a group to do something not-so-fun, and immediately someone would shout, “one, two, three—not It!” Everyone in the group was expected to respond by echoing the call, “not It!” as quickly as they could, and the last person to respond was tagged “It” and sentenced to complete the unwanted task.
Unfortunately, this is not just a game for kids, but is also frequently played in the workplace. As a Leader-Manager, you may occasionally need help with a side project or task that is slightly out of scope. You ask for volunteers, look around, and it’s kind of like a silent game of Not It! Is taking place. With the rules reversed in the workplace, it is the first to speak who will be tagged “It,” so the object of the game is to avoid communication and eye contact.
Another Game Teams Play is Hot Potato
Another common game is Hot Potato. It is especially evident in the shiny-object start-up environment, where accountability is tossed around like—you guessed it—a hot potato. When the music stops, the last person holding the potato is “Out.” Lack of clarity on what is trying to be achieved and risk of repercussions can leave a team frequently playing this game. To a leader, it may seem like people don’t want to take responsibility for their actions, but the reality is often fear-based. This game is a way for people to protect themselves from failure.
No matter which game your team is playing, it is important to note that it is a symptom of a broader cultural issue. This is especially true if everyone is involved, including your high performers. In this case, it likely cannot be chalked up to individual deficits or lack of character.
When I visit organizations, I often ask the team, “If your organization was playing a game, what game would it be playing?” This simple question unlocks considerable clarity into the type of culture that might be holding a team back. If the response is Chess, for example, we know it is a competitive culture based on strategy and individualization. Ping Pong suggests a dynamic of continuously moving back and forth, but never actually getting anywhere. By asking your team and yourself this question, you will be able to take better steps in addressing the true underlying problems.
Game. Set. Match.
So, what’s the endgame? How can we discourage our teams from playing games like Not it! and Hot Potato, and trying to dodge “It” and “Out”? Follow my takeaways below to cut “It” ”Out.”
Key Takeaways
- Ask in-person for volunteers, as opposed to asking by email. Better yet, approach one or two specific people directly
- In fact, don’t ask, tell. In many cases, Not it! is actually a clutch for the leader. If you are trying to appear collaborative, but in fact you just need an individual to complete a task—stop it. Be confident in your role as a leader and give direct instructions. Do not start a game that you are not willing to play
- When assigning a task, designate ownership. Remember that ownership does not mean this person has to do everything themselves, but it means that they will ultimately take responsibility for the task and own its completion
- Avoid dual ownership. This never works and sets you up for a game of Hot Potato. Avoid finger-pointing by appointing one clear owner to each task
