Top 10 Ways To Motivate People
It doesn’t matter whether you are leading the team for a project or just doing something as simple as organising a night out with your friends. It is a vital part of both processes to motivate people and get people behind the idea. You need people to have a desire to do the same thing. In addition to this, it is important to understand those goals and objectives are mutual. Without these basic principles, even with the lightest of ideas, the action can fail with no motivation.
So what is required to engage people and drive motivation?
- Understand your own motivation – You must understand this and where it is coming from and have passion for it in order to get others behind you. Is it something you can easily describe to yourself? if you can’t describe it to yourself how can you expect to engage others?
- Create a positive feedback environment – The idea is to get people behind you and more engaged. Therefore you should not overlook the number one resource in this. Allow people to have their input based on their experiences don’t do everything on your own. Let them give you feedback whether it be positive or negative or not what you had hoped for. This will ensure the best possible outcome for everyone involved.
- Understand the role of change– Change can be a scary thing for most people. Whilst some people are on board immediately it can take others longer to adapt and others reject it altogether. It is important to work out where you stand as quickly as possible. Consider all the fears of those involved and try to explain the positive outcomes and how it will benefit them. Remember that those resistant to change could though be right about some things in their feedback. Don’t ignore it.
- Be Transparent in your approach – Whilst it may seem difficult at times, your team always needs to know the bigger picture surrounding the venture so keep it as simple as possible. People need to know where they stand in an organisation, as well as the impact of their contributions. If they do not have this they quickly lose interest. Always be truthful as failure to do so can lead to demoralisation when they find out. People will only give their best work when they want to. so make them want to.
- Do not fear failure but learn from it – We are all scared of failing sometimes it’s only human but out of failure comes success. Let people express their ideas even if you think they will fail. You might be surprised. If someone hasn’t felt this fear before then it can demotivate those that have and will end new ideas coming in which will be your loss.
- Lead by example- This is just common sense. If you are not doing as much work as those who are working for you this also demotivates people and gives them a why should I bother attitude towards your task. Show up on time, leave on time set the example in your work and have some passion and drive to make it work. You don’t need to work longer than everyone else it is just as important not to burn yourself out as well as your team but at the same time don’t think you can work less than your team either.
- Take responsibility- Own it. Let people know this is your project/idea. let them know if anything goes wrong that you are the one who will support them. Let them know you can take positive criticism. However, if it goes wrong, let them know they lose nothing it is all on you.
- Development – Find and use any opportunities you can to develop your team. This can be as simple as allowing them to try new things in their own way. No project lasts forever it always has to come to an end eventually but the skills we learn as we go along can be priceless for next time. Allow others to take advantage of these skills and not be afraid of pointing things out. The one thing greater than the project itself is how you look after them to ensure the future of any other new projects.
- Learn when to take a step back and teach others to take a step back – Observation for a moment can be the best thing we can do. It’s too easy to rush into things and running before you can walk. This is because you will become overwhelmed possibly beyond your current capabilities. Understand your present responsibilities and priorities and don’t be afraid to tell things to wait.
- Definitively know when the endpoint is – working on the task is the easy part, but what makes this task completed whether it be failed or successful? Set out a flexible end date or endpoint in the process. This can provide motivation in the people working for you knowing they have an appropriate deadline to work to and will enable prioritisation. Other people will also notice this and it will lead to a better outcome.
Follow these tips and you will be able to effectively take the lead with most things you engage in and other people as much as possible. It will help you and them grow their skills and develop to the best of their and your ability.
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