MIC DROP.

Mic Drop.
As soon as someone says, “mic drop”, you get the visual, right?  You know exactly what it looks like.  In fact, you may even catch a grin arise as you recall the last time you saw this.  Maybe on TV, at a comedy show or concert.  Even President Obama incorporated a virtual mic drop at the end of a speech last year!  That single term and action, really says a lot:  “I’m done.  Out. The end.  I’ve given it my all.” 
It’s an analogy and a modern-day colloquialism that’s defined in Urban Dictionary; “When a performer or speaker intentionally drops/throws the microphone on the floor after an awesome performance.”
In some ways it’s really self-recognition for a job well done.  As leaders we are trained to recognize and celebrate the performance of others.  But, wow…celebrate and recognize your own success?  Isn’t that boastful or bragging? 

Nope. It’s not.  It’s actually a healthy part of self-awareness.  In this Forbes article (http://www.forbes.com/sites/victorlipman/2013/11/18/all-successful-leaders-need-this-quality-self-awareness/#28ecdf0857b4) they revealed data which showed a high self-awareness score was the highest predictor of success overall for leaders.

But what does that mean?  Self-awareness.  It means that you know your strengths AND your challenges.  With this knowledge, it means you can then build a well-rounded team who has strengths in areas that may not be your own.  It means you are attuned to how your actions and behaviors affect others – which in turn affects the bottom line. 

Self-awareness is not a solo gig.  It has ripple effects that allow you to be more authentically connected to your team.  When your team shares in your success, it’s also theirs.  It says to them, that they are a part of something big and inspires them to move toward their own mic drop moments.  It’s leading by example.

When I’m coaching teams, the biggest challenge is not that they are not aware of what needs to improve, but in their not recognizing their strengths and what’s already going well AND being comfortable celebrating them. 
So what about this mic drop?  How can you use a mic drop idea to help your team create more mic drop moments and reasons to celebrate?
                                                                     
                                                                   3 Mic Drop Opportunities to Build a Successful Team

1.  Incorporate an actual mic drop experience as a team building activity.  Each person gets a moment to shine and recall their biggest win.  And then, mic drop.  Add prizes for the most creative, entertaining or revealing mic drop moment.

     2.  When problem solving or brainstorming, ask for ideas that would not only be out-of-the-box but result in an
           epic mic drop.  This gives them license to think big, be collaborative and have some fun landing a winning concept.

       3.  Before a big presentation or event, have your team “imagine” or visualize the experience from start to finish. 
            What did it look like?  More importantly, what did it feel like?  This is a chance to practice the “nerves”, reconcile them,
           so when the real event happens, physiologically their body already knows how to conquer the jitters.  And of course,
​            end with a virtual mic drop!  Out.                      ~Paula G. Rosario, Chief Spark Plug

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