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Ways to Motivate Individuals

We recently asked a group of seminar participants, “Would the people who work with you on a daily basis consider you to be a motivating leader?” On a scale of one to five, with one low and five high, only about one-third of the participants rated themselves either a four or five. We then talked about what makes a leader a motivator.

Research in emotional intelligence has demonstrated that most individuals are looking for three basic needs to be met in their life if they are to be motivated. First, people want to be appreciated and recognized for their contributions. Second, most people want to be cared for; and third, most people want to be given the opportunity to grow.

As a leader who wants to motivate, there are ways to meet these three basic needs and, in the process, become an even stronger leader.

The need to be appreciated and recognized.
Every leader needs to take every opportunity to recognize their associates when things are accomplished that support the organization’s vision and values. The following suggestions are possible ideas of how you might recognize someone’s contributions:

1. Send an e-mail complimenting the person’s work.
2. Write a personalized thank you note.
3. Leave a voice mail message valuing specific contributions.
4. Tell an individual why you appreciate the opportunity to work together.
5. Provide public attention (mention at a meeting or include in the company newsletter) the individual’s significant accomplishments.

The need to be cared for or about.
The old cliche is right, “No one cares about how much you know until they know how much you care.” We encourage leaders to care as much about employees’ personal success as you do about their professional success. These are some activities that demonstrate you care about individuals:

1. You listen to them and value their opinions.
2. You ask them questions about both personal and professional topics.
3. You recognize their special days (birthdays and anniversaries).
4. You provide support and encouragement when they experience hardships or difficult times.
5. You provide thorough and accurate performance reviews.

The opportunity for growth.
It is difficult to be motivated when you are doing “more of the same.” The times when we feel the greatest sense of accomplishment are when we have been challenged. The following ideas will help ensure that people are growing:

1. Invite individuals to meetings they normally would not attend.
2. Have people represent you at meetings.
3. Set stretch goals at levels that are not easy to reach, yet not impossible.
4. Rotate leaders or employees into positions where they need to acquire new knowledge to be effective.
5. Assign individuals projects they have never done before.
6. Encourage everyone to set “learning goals.”

Now, it’s time to ask yourself, “Am I offering to my employees what they need to be motivated?”

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