By definition, inspirational motivation involves two key components. First, a leader must be clear about his or her vision. Secondly, a leader needs to express his or her vision in a manner that excites and drives higher levels of performance. Over the course of my career, many leaders have asked “How do I inspire and motivate my team?” It is a burning question that never grows old and preoccupies the minds of many leaders in every market sector. The capacity to motivate others is a talent and an art.So, where to start?
In order to successfully inspire others, it is important to understand the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivators. The former relates to engaging in activities that are personally satisfying and rewarding. When we enjoy performing a task, we derive a sense of internal satisfaction and desire for optimal execution. These “forces” are intangible. In contrast, extrinsic motivation is linked to an external outcome or reward such as a bonus, promotion, prize or prestige.
In order to inspire others to realize your vision as a leader, it is essential to learn how to tap into the vision of your individual team members. i.e. to understand their intrinsic motivators. What drives them? What matters to them? If you want your team to surpass your expectations, you first need to help them to personally realize and transcend their own vision. The following steps will help you to hone your capacity as an inspirational motivator:
Demonstrate confidence
As simplistic as it may seem, it is worthwhile remembering that people want to do their jobs well. Effective leaders recognize this is an intrinsic need. By encouraging and demonstrating belief in an individual’s capabilities, you are contributing to his or her career path, often leaving an indelible impact.
Maintain an optimistic outlook
Positivity is as contagious as negativity. In a leadership role, your influence can never be overstated. It behooves leaders to be aware of the combination of words and actions during each interaction. If you truly seek to inspire others, become more conscious of how people perceive your verbal and non-verbal cues. We believe what we see.
Show interest and genuine appreciation
The most powerful, intangible motivator employed by transformational leaders is consistently recognizing the efforts of others with sincere praise. Offering meaningless platitudes often has the opposite effect, as your team members can easily sense the difference. There are many ways to demonstrate appreciation in the absence of a formal recognition and rewards program. Personalized, authentic communication can yield extraordinary outcomes that include a stronger relationship, higher levels of trust, engagement and commitment. Take the time to get to know your team the benefits of a richer work experience will be mutual.
This article is a partial transcript of a video on YouTube.
Michelle Ray (Twitter) is one of the best international leadership keynote speakers in Vancouver. She helps you discover your potential through presentations, coaching and consulting. With over 20 years of experience Michelle has worked with hundreds of companies around the world. She is taking bookings for speaking engagements and can be contacted at MichelleRay.com
