Prioritising Your Team's Mojo
Your mojo probably doesn't come in a vial, but it's just as important to you.
I've recently had cause to read a few of Peter Cook's older blog posts that feature mojo and it has got me thinking. In 1999, Austin Powers and Dr Evil introduced me to the concept of mojo. It existed before then, but the Austin Powers sequel was my introduction to it. At first, I assumed that it was just a funny word used as part of an intentionally nonsensical film plot. It is most of those things - as well as something far more.
I have come to the conclusion that this is something that many of us can spend more time prioritising for ourselves and others. Let's get into why that is - and how you can prioritise it in your teams.
What is mojo?
Turns out that the word has been around for longer than 20 years, but in the film, Dr Evil explains his definition as this:
"The libido. The life force. The essence. The right stuff. What the French call a certain... I don't know what."
When I watched that again recently as research for this article (yep, I searched YouTube for Austin Powers clips as "research"), I was taken aback. It has a lot more depth than I had given it credit for. That definition is very close to how I use the term character - the aspects of who we are that make us unique and distinct from everyone else.
Why does mojo matter?
The things that make us unique are important. They reaffirm our self-worth and allow us to express it in a way that adds value for others. In 1970, Abraham Maslow (of the famous hierarchy of needs) wrote this:
“Musicians must make music, artists must paint, poets must write if they are to ultimately be at peace with themselves. What humans can be, they must be. They must be true to their own nature.”
This is what accessing our mojo does. It helps us be true to our nature as individuals. In a team setting, it helps us foster psychological safety and feel like we belong. It makes it easier for us to bring our best.
Your mojo under threat
Much like Austin Powers, it can feel like your mojo gets stolen - or at least mysteriously disappears. That's true even in 'normal' circumstances. Right now, it's no surprise that a lot of us are feeling that way more than usual. According to various articles - compared to a couple of months ago, it's likely that you are:
feeling more tired
have increased responsibilities
eating a less healthy diet
exercising less
All of these are likely to be draining your mojo, baby. (This sentence works best in an Austin Powers voice).
Prioritising mojo
For that reason, right now is a great time to be focusing on it. It feels self-indulgent but is far from it. All of us need to be connecting back into our unique talents. Ignoring it is an act of self-sabotage that many of us are guilty of. Here is a simple way to
Identify your mojo makers (people, activities, clothes, music or whatever has a positive effect on you)
Identify your mojo takers (pay close attention to people in this one!)
Make more time for the makers and less for the takers
Do that for yourself and then have the same conversation with your team. It's amazing what it can do.
The movie has a cameo from Jerry Springer and I'll leave you with his sign off in the film:
"You know, what have we learned here today? Perhaps it's that no one can take your mojo. You can look around all you want, but what you're really tryin' to find is on the inside. Take care of yourself and each other."
Here are three questions that I hope you will let you take care of yourself and each other:
Are you prioritising your mojo?
Who or what are your mojo makers?
Who or what are your mojo takers?