Nice Bike...Drive It

This term I'm teaching a class at Madonna University on current theories in teaching and learning. The theme of this week's class is motivation, and what role motivation has in learning. In preparing, it struck me how often the theme of motivation is central to discussions I have with students, parents and staff alike. There are as many motivation theories as there are theorists, but two books I've read recently really put some things in perspective for me.

A few years ago, North had well known motivational speaker Mark Scharenbroich do a presentation for our students. I've had the pleasure of knowing Mark for many years, and have often asked him to speak to students and/or staff. For several years, he has used a theme that I really believe most of us can identify with.

Mark tells of coincidentally being in Milwaukee for the 100th anniversary of Harley Davidson motorcycles. Hundreds and thousands of Harley owners were in town with their bikes. Now Harley owners think of their bikes as part of their family. They are closely connected to these machines, and they are part of each owner's identity. Mark observed that to make someone's weekend required only two words - "Nice Bike". Sounds simple, and it is. Unfortunately, many of us fail to realize that to teach and to connect with another person requires that we understand what is important to them and reach out to acknowledge others. "Nice Bike" is now the title of Mark's new book. In his words, " 'Nice Bike' is a gold star on your paper in elementary school....'Nice Bike' is going out of your way to let people know they matter. " Mark summarizes his "Nice Bike" philosophy in three powerful actions: Acknowledge, Honor and Connect.

Based on my many years of experience as an educator, coach and parent, I really believed that Mark Scharenbroich was right on the money when I heard him speak and read his book. In fact, one of my mentors often says "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care"...in other words, until you give someone a "Nice Bike" you haven't connected enough to teach them anything. I really believed this concept...then I I read the hot new book Drive by Daniel Pink, and found much of what I believed to be true about motivation challenged.

Pink challenges traditional "carrot and stick" methods of motivation, and focuses on his three elements of motivation - autonomy, mastery and purpose. As I read, I found myself questioning whether what I thought I knew about motivation could have been entirely wrong. As the book developed though, what became clear is that Pink hits on what should be painfully obvious. As the world has changed, and continues to change, what motivates people will also change. We think and learn differently now than we did twenty years ago. It makes sense that we should be motivated in different ways.

Ultimately (and I recommend you read both books!) I was able to reconcile the themes of the two books. While what motivates us changes, and will continue to evolve, what hasn't changed is the need for human connection. In fact, that need has grown exponentially with the advent of social media. We're connected to more people in more places than ever before. Where schools, and in some cases individual educators, have sometimes failed to progress is in understanding what it is that our young people value.

To illustrate this point, last week I was standing outside the cafeteria and observed a young lady reading a graphic novel. I asked her what she was reading, and she reluctantly held the book high. I recognized the title and said "Those are cool. Have you read 'The Helm'?". She hadn't, and I told her about having read it this summer to get an idea what graphic novels are all about - it's a great, funny story. We talked for a few more minutes, and she thanked me for not calling her novel a "comic book" as others had. A few days later she stopped me in the hall and held up The Helm. "Mr. Bearden, this is so cool. Thanks for recommending it. I think it's cool that you read this."

What started as an attempt by me to give a kind of "Nice bike" to a student I didn't know ended up with me being on the receiving end of a "Nice bike". I'm now motivated to read more of these graphic novels because I know there are a growing number of kids who like them, it's a growing genre of literature, and because that connection made me feel good. I acknowledged our student's interest in something that was important, and she acknowledged me noticing. Both of these connections were motivating.

Daniel Pink is brilliant, and I loved the book Drive - in fact I think it's a very important book. That being said, I know that one thing will never change - real, honest, personal connections that involve us honoring, connecting and acknowledging others not only open the doors of relationships, but they are inspiring and motivating. For parents, educators and coaches, that's what it's all about...Nice bike Mark Scharenbroich, Nice bike.