If you’re like most leaders, the days can be long and filled with millions of things to do, and it’s easy to lose sight of your energy. And the same is true of the people on your team. Ideally, the work you do every day should be energizing, but part of leadership is making it happen when it isn’t happening naturally. Here are some ways to keep your people energized and motivated:
Tap into what inspires them. The status quo is usually a pretty comfortable place, and it’s never easy for leaders to get people to move forward. Ask yourself what inspires your team. Is it the mission? The camaraderie and teamwork? Personal ambition? Tap into what you know of them to help them make the leap from impossible to possible. Let them know it’s going to be hard at times, but the rewards will be great.
Celebrate the big things—and the little ones too. Great leaders are constantly finding ways to honor their people and celebrate their individual and shared successes. Don’t wait for an excuse to inject energy into your people. Let them know you see their progress and do everything you can to celebrate it—and them.
Reward their effort. Too often leaders focus rewards only on results; they forget how much energy and effort people put into making something work, even if it’s just part of the daily grind or a project that didn’t pan out. Be the kind of leader who rewards effort as well as results. Let your people know that little things make big things happen and that you value their discipline and effort.
Listen with curiosity. Most people don’t listen with the intent to understand but with the intent to reply. To energize your people, listen with curiosity, speak with honesty and act with integrity. The most successful people are the ones who do more listening than talking. When people know they’re being heard, they feel vital and valued.
Show respect. The highest form of respect you can give someone is to recognize them for who they are. Let them know you see their strengths—not just when they excel, but even through mistakes and bad outcomes.
Appreciate them for who they are. Recognition is a fundamental human need that reinforces positive actions. When you let people know you appreciate them for themselves and their role in the work you share, the more involved they will feel.
Show your gratitude. The single greatest cause of happiness is gratitude. If you want to keep your team motivated, make it a point to express your thanks to them as often as you can, in private and in public.
The best leaders energize their people in as many ways as possible, sharing with them the feeling that every day is a great day to do amazing work together.
Lead from within: At the end of the day, your energy and ability to energize others are among the most valuable resources you can share.
#1 N A T I O N A L B E S T S E L L E R
The Leadership Gap: What Gets Between You and Your Greatness
After decades of coaching powerful executives around the world, Lolly Daskal has observed that leaders rise to their positions relying on a specific set of values and traits. But in time, every executive reaches a point when their performance suffers and failure persists. Very few understand why or how to prevent it.
Additional Reading you might enjoy:
- 12 Successful Leadership Principles That Never Grow Old
- A Leadership Manifesto: A Guide To Greatness
- How to Succeed as A New Leader
- 12 of The Most Common Lies Leaders Tell Themselves
- 4 Proven Reasons Why Intuitive Leaders Make Great Leaders
- The One Quality Every Leader Needs To Succeed
- The Deception Trap of Leadership
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Of Lolly’s many awards and accolades, Lolly was designated a Top-50 Leadership and Management Expert by Inc. magazine. Huffington Post honored Lolly with the title of The Most Inspiring Woman in the World. Her writing has appeared in HBR, Inc.com, Fast Company (Ask The Expert), Huffington Post, and Psychology Today, and others. Her newest book, The Leadership Gap: What Gets Between You and Your Greatness has become a national bestseller.