Great leadership goes beyond setting goals and delegating tasks. An effective leader knows how to tap into each team member’s unique motivation. To do this, you must first understand how motivation works—both your own and that of those you lead. Below, we will explore a few perspectives on workplace motivation and offer a quick reflection tool to help you (and your team) see what truly drives performance.
Leaders need many skills: communication, problem-solving, etc. The skill of motivating others is an important skill. No matter how knowledgeable your team is, if your team lacks motivation to perform at their best, overall success becomes much harder to achieve.
Personal Connection: When a leader understands their team’s motivators, it becomes easier to build strong, positive relationships.
Sustainable Momentum: Motivation is not just something you bring out when the team is struggling; it is a constant factor that shapes everyday work experiences.
Tailored Approaches: Because different people respond to different motivators, it is important to identify what specifically sparks enthusiasm and commitment in each individual.
Consider the world of sports. In January of 2023, FOX NFL Sunday Ticket commentators were talking about how American football players find the motivation to play well even after their team has been eliminated from the playoffs. Former Pittsburgh quarterback Terry Bradshaw said, “I like a coach who is a high-positive encouraging guy, and that’s Pete Carroll of the Seahawks. I would absolutely play great for him.” The group agreed, adding that some players “like to be yelled at,” and others “like it when you just talk calmly,” and some players like to “be loved.” Some prefer a strict, no-nonsense approach; others thrive on warmth and affirmation. The point is that no single style works for everyone.
Just as with athletes, employees respond differently to various motivational styles. Some enjoy public praise, others crave new challenges, and some simply want to be part of a supportive team environment. The more a leader understands these nuances, the more effectively they can inspire individuals to do their best.
Before you can effectively motivate others, it helps to know what motivates you personally. Here’s a quick exercise to discover your own motivators. To better understand your own motivation, answer “Yes” or “No” to the following statements. This quick self-assessment offers a snapshot of the motivational drivers that resonate with you.
Answer “yes” or “no” to the following statements.
Do you feel motivated at work when:
- You receive a pay raise?
- You receive a promotion?
- You are given more responsibility?
A “yes” to one or more of the above indicates a motivation by tangible rewards.
- The team shares the workload?
- Great ideas come from collaboration?
- Working as a team to create something new?
A “yes” to one or more of the above indicates motivation through teamwork.
- A supervisor has complimented your work?
- A colleague says they admired your work?
- Your work receives public acknowledgement?
A “yes” to one or more of the above indicates motivation by verbal acknowledgement.
- You find the work difficult and challenging?
- Your supervisor shares emerging problems?
- There is always more work to do?
A “yes” to one or more of the above indicates motivation when challenged.
- A new project starts?
- Presented with the flexibility on how to achieve goals?
- The opportunity to be creative?
A “yes” to one or more of the above indicates motivation through opportunity.
Motivation via tangible reward, collaboration, affirmation, new challenges, and creativity are all different kinds of motivation that occur in the workplace. An excellent leader would assess how each of their team members feel motivated when creating a team of motivated workers. Exercises like this one from the Mindset Booster “Resourceful Leadership” are available on Insight Basecamp.
People are motivated in a variety of ways, including tangible rewards, collaboration, affirmation, new challenges, and creative freedom. Great leaders recognize that motivation is not one-size-fits-all. By pinpointing the factors that energize each person, a leader can shape a truly engaged team—one where everyone feels driven to put forth their best effort.
Insight Assessment offers an array of assessments designed to measure motivational mindset as well as other essential mindset attributes that contribute to a positive, productive workforce. Our INSIGHT Executive, INSIGHT Business Professional, and the others in our INSIGHT series of assessments designed for many different industries, all include a robust thinking mindset measure to address the motivational aspects of strong reasoning.
