The Monkey Experiment

Motivation and Engagement

The Monkey Experiment

Start with a cage containing five monkeys.

Inside the cage, hang a banana on a string and place a set of stairs under it.

Get Banana

Before long, a monkey will go to the stairs and start to climb towards the banana.

As soon as he touches the stairs, spray all of the other monkeys with cold water.

Get Cold And Wet

After a while, another monkey makes an attempt with the same result - all the other monkeys are sprayed with cold water.

Pretty soon, when another monkey tries to climb the stairs, the other monkeys will try to prevent it.

Remove Cold Water

Now, put away the cold water.

Remove one monkey from the cage and replace it with a new one.

The new monkey sees the banana and wants to climb the stairs.

Teach New Monkey

To his surprise and horror, all of the other monkeys attack him.

After another attempt and attack, he knows that if he tries to climb the stairs, he will be assaulted.

Repeat Process

Next, remove another of the original five monkeys and replace it with a new one.

The newcomer goes to the stairs and is attacked.

The previous newcomer takes part in the punishment with enthusiasm!

Monkey Teach Monkey

Likewise, replace a third original monkey with a new one, then a fourth, then the fifth.

Every time the newest monkey takes to the stairs, he is attacked.

Most of the monkeys that are beating him have no idea why they were not permitted to climb the stairs or why they are participating in the beating of the newest monkey.

After replacing all the original monkeys, none of the remaining monkeys has ever been sprayed with cold water.

Never Touch Banana

Nevertheless, no monkey ever again approaches the stairs to try for the banana.

Why not?

Because as far as they know that's the way it's always been done around here..........

Company Policy

And that's how company policy begins.

Leadership and Motivation Training

Impact Factory runs

Open Coaching and Mentoring Courses

Tailored Coaching and Mentoring Training

Five Day Communicate With Impact Workshops

and personalised

One-to-One Coaching

for anyone who is interested in

Motivation and Engagement

Leadership and Motivation Training in London