Are you Inspiring & Motivating your Team?

1. Value People and their significant contributions – People want to feel that they are valued and that they can contribute to others. They need to see that what they are doing is not wasted effort, but is making a contribution. People must see value in what they are doing. Motivation comes not by activity alone, but by the desire to reach the end results. Inspire others by listening actively. Listening to what other people has to say inspires them to open up and put their confidence in you. You inspire others when you show them that you take the time to know and understand them.
2. Good Participation – People support what they create. Being a part of the goal-setting process is motivating and it allows people to feel needed. They like to feel they are making a difference. When people have given input, they have a stake in the issue. They own it and support it. Seeing goals become reality and helping to shape the future is fulfilling. Goal participation builds team spirit, enhances morale, and helps everyone feel important.
3. Positive Words – Positive words inspire positive emotions. Encourage others by reminding them of their talents, skills, and gifts. Focus on what they have done and not what they haven’t done. Project a positive personality. There is no better way to inspire others than by being filled with enthusiasm yourself. This enthusiasm is energy that easily spreads from one person to the next. To be effective, enthusiasm must be genuine; there is no faking enthusiasm. Encourage through difficult times and you’ll be inspiring your staff to see the best in themselves.
4. Be a good Communicator – Increasing your ability to communicate effectively is a critical element for you to inspire others. Watch how you speak and what you say. Invest in your communication skills.
5. Be Vulnerable – Be willing to share your failures as well as your successes. Others will relate to you. They’ll understand that they’re not the only ones with challenges.
6. Role Model – People are inspired by those who “walk the walk”. Do not be afraid to share your own stories of accomplishment. Leaders who inspire practice what they preach and lead by example. People need to believe in what is possible. Stories that people can relate to can be very inspiring. Choose stories that convey the same message you are trying get across.
7. Positive dissatisfaction – Someone said that dissatisfaction is the one-word definition for motivation. Dissatisfied people are highly motivated people, for they see the need for immediate change. They know something is wrong and often know what needs to be done. Dissatisfaction can inspire change or it can lead to a critical spirit. It can lead to apathy or stir one into action. The key is harnessing this energy toward effective change.
8. Recognition – People want to be noticed. They want credit for personal achievements and appreciation for their contributions. Recognition is one way to give meaning to a person’s existence.
9. Show others you genuinely care – People don’t care about how much you know until they know how much you care. Take a genuine interest in other people.
10. Clear expectations – People are motivated when they know exactly what they are to do and have the confidence that they can do it successfully. No one wants to jump into a tank that is vague or a job whose description is uncertain. Motivation rises in a job when the goals, expectations, and responsibilities are clearly understood. When delegating responsibility, be sure to give the necessary authority to carry out the task. People perform better when they have some control over their work and their time. Those leaders whom we love to hate are the ones who challenge us to do our best. A properly executed challenge can both motivate and inspire.