Bonding Mechanisms

Once the inspirational leader has identified the object of attachment, he begins to create bonds that tie each individual member of the group to it.  These bonds are like powerful bungee cords that are capable of being stretched at times, but are very difficult to break. Indeed, one can look at the world as a web of bonds that tie us all together at many levels and in many ways.  Our commonalities far outweigh our differences.  For the most part, we are unaware at a conscious level of the depth, breadth and strength of our bonds.  The inspirational leader helps to identify and to give power to the bonds that either already exist or to those that are created.

To return to our school director of development, he may know that a particular group of alums are strongly attached to the school football team.  As an inspirational leader, he understands the importance of strengthening that bond and increasing the loyalty the average alum feels towards the football program.  He can then begin to remind the football friendly alums how much the school supports the football program and how the two work hand in glove to create an environment where the value to the alum of his or her diploma is magnified.  Later, he can begin to create an additional bond to the school itself based on this new awareness.  In addition, school functions that previously were held independent of the football alumni group can specifically include them as helpful contributors to the overall excellence and growth of the school.  In this way, the inspirational leader in the school development office begins to weave a powerful series of bonds that tie the alums ever more closely to the institution.

Generally speaking, the more bonds, the stronger the "ties that bind".   One cord can be broken when under too much stress, several cords tend to support one another and distribute the stress.  This is true whether the bonding mechanisms are in a relationship between two people, between a company and its' customer, or between nations.  Of course, even as the inspirational leader is creating bonding mechanisms, he is also aware of the paradoxical nature of teams, teambuilding, and human nature.  The "ties that bind" one to another are also ties that exclude.  Not everyone can be a part of the same team.  The leader's mission is to be as much exclusive as inclusive.  In order to create an environment where champions become inevitable, there must inevitably be separation from those that do not share the environment.  So, the bonding mechanisms themselves are both inclusive and exclusive.

Exclusivity naturally implies "elitism", which can have a negative implication.  But, it is just as much human nature to want to be part of something truly special as it is to want to be part of something bigger than self.  To have earned a spot in an exclusive organization is a motivating force in maximizing our potential.  The task of the inspirational leader is to bring in to the organization as few, or as many, as is needed or desired all the while maintaining, through the establishment of bonds, the sense of being part of something worthwhile.

But, what are these bonds?  We know that everyone wants to be part of something bigger, we understand that different people are attracted to different objects of attachment.  What are the bonds that attract and hold people to those objects of attachment?  How can the inspirational leader use bonding mechanisms to ensure that his team mates and followers are attracted to his team?  What will make them stay, and not drift to another? 

Every true team has a raison d'etre, a reason to exist.  The team has a mission or objective that must be reached.  Without a goal, there is truly no team.  This is a primary bonding mechanism.  Outside of the goal, there can also be common ground in causes, or ideologies, ethnicities, religious affiliations or a host of other commonalities between people.  These are all powerful bonding mechanisms.  We will deal with all of these in the coming chapters, as each relate more directly to different secrets.