Signals
The spoken word is not always the most powerful. In a battle, it is better to use flags, gongs, drums and other techniques to display what is expected.
In business, there are ways to send signals to a mass of men without just speaking to them. The men must be concentrated and feel the energy of being one mass that is expected to perform. The precise use of signals keeps one man from being a coward and another being overly brave. The men fell united as one body because of the strength of the signals.
In business, there are also symbols that are more powerful than the spoken word. Sometimes a leader can talk until they are blue in the face and the subordinates just do not get it or will continue to ignore them. One way to unify people is with symbols.
One defense contractor uses the space man award. It is a toy that looks like a guy in a real space suit. The award is given to the person that is not following rules and procedures as the company asks. It could be a department that just isn't taking a part of the company seriously as they should.
Companies also use positive rewards. Some companies offer a silver cup for the team that performs the best in a certain period of time. If your subordinates need to be more cohesive, you could hold a meeting and give out the silver cup to whomever does the best with your spoken word. Then, people will be more likely to do what you ask.
The problem is that people often do not think the spoken word matters all that much. When they something real and tangible behind the words, they take it more seriously. The great leader will use the words energize and unify the troops. When the employees are seriously motivated and working together it will make the worst performers move it up a notch and may also keep people from straying out on their own. The process is synergistic and all it took was a symbol that represented something great.
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