The Leader's Cheat Code

The cheat to finding meaningful moments

↑ ↑ ↓ ↓ ← → ← → B A start

If you’re a child of the 80’s, you probably have the above sequence embedded in your brain. It’s the most famous Nintendo cheat code called the Konami code, created by Kazuhisa Hashimoto. Hitting those keys meant that you bypassed levels, gained extra lives or unlocked other amazing benefits.

Sometimes, I wish there was a cheat code for aspects of my life. A parenting cheat code to unlock a meal made entirely of items already in the fridge that only takes 10 minutes to prepare. A work cheat code that bypasses filling out annual performance reviews. A teaching cheat code that skips grading papers, or grading in general.

Well, what if I told you there’s a cheat code for leaders? The up up down down left right left right B A start that quickly enables you to create immediate meaning for a team member?

We know our team members crave more meaning at work, and that feeling fulfilled and having a sense of purpose is critical for employee engagement, satisfaction and productivity. Yet, as leaders, we struggle with how to bring more meaning to our teams, especially when we know the day-to-day can be boring, mundane, and tedious for our employees (and often for us!)

So here’s the cheat code for meaning.

Ask your team member:

“What was the most meaningful thing you did this past month at work?”

Why is this simple question the Konami code for meaningful work?

The mere act of reflecting on what was meaningful creates meaning. Often we don’t realize or register that something that happened had meaning until we reflect and are asked about it. Research shows that meaning is rarely experienced in the moment. Rather, we need to be reflective to recognize the meaningful moments in our work.

The act of pausing and pondering is simple; but think about how often we do it during our busy work days. This cheat code question brings about greater awareness, and when we are intentionally aware of our surroundings, interactions, and co-workers, we find more everyday meaning. Reflecting on what’s meaningful also helps us to recognize that, in hindsight, challenging and perhaps negative situations were a path for growth and transformation.

So use the cheat code on your team members and on yourself! Reflect on what’s been most meaningful. Recognize those past moments where you’ve felt fulfilled, deeply satisfied, proud, and challenged.

Rachel

PS: Apparently you can tell Siri, Alexa and Google Assistant the Komami cheat code for some fun surprises! (And my personal fave, enter it on the WWF website)

More Fun Stuff

Other Great Questions: Here’s a list of some of my favorite questions to use with teams, colleagues and friends that not only help with meaning, but help with building the muscle of self-inquiry and decision making.

Beautiful Questions: Listen to philosopher David Whyte talk about why beautiful questions are so beautiful and how you can ask them.

The Power of Questions: For more about questions that matter, and falling in love with questions, check out Elizabeth Weingarten’s new book, How To Fall in Love With Questions.