Motivate Others Instead of Bossing Them

Motivation is Powerful

The biggest challenge for a coach or leader is motivating others.  If anyone could do it, the world would be a different place.  Problems like hunger, climate change, and a properly fitting pair of slacks would quickly happen because people would want to address those problems.  In reality, we struggle with these challenges because it is hard to motivate others, and there is an entire group of people who want to discourage people from thinking there are solutions to these issues.  Motivation is getting people to swim against the current of conventional wisdom. 

 

Motivating others is a full-time job.  It requires the application of soft techniques of persuasion and other times the blunt force of human resources.  People want to feel useful and challenged, but often they settle for security and routine.  A leader needs to work with these messy people and give them a chance to rise to their circumstances.  I struggle with this because I come from a command and control environment.  I would discover later in my career; this approach does not work with technical or creative professionals. 

 

The global economy has shifted from building things to creating experiences, services, and ideas.  It is a complicated process, and it requires more than following orders.  It requires looking at things from different perspectives.  The creative process requires a sense of craft.  Finally, it demands that people look at problems and question established answers.  People who excel at these skills are rarely the type to follow orders.  

Because we rely on information and creativity more than ever, leaders need to convince people why things need to happen instead of what needs to happen.  Give a problem to a bunch of creative people and tell them why it needs solving; you will be surprised by the effort they will put into solving it.  Telling people why something is essential creates a common cause with the team.  Explaining the urgency and necessity gives importance to work.  People with purpose are better than those with a plan.

So as a leader, you need to show others where you want them to be rather than telling them. Act as an example by listening to others and avoid asking someone to do something you would not do yourself.  Support others as they struggle to come up with solutions and listen to what others have to say.   It is surprising what you will learn.  

I do not have a magic recipe for motivating others.  Each day, I do my best to explain why certain things should happen.  The team should be concerned with how it should happen.  Finally, try to be an example for others to emulate.  Motivating others is not an easy process, but if you can do it right, the results are deeply satisfying.  

Until next time.