Motivating Others - Four Ways to Take Action
1. Motivate Yourself First
Find out what excites you. Do you thrive on recognition? Learning new things? Helping Others? Different “carrots” motivate different people. Unless we reflect on what we are enthusiastic about, we cannot expect to inspire others.
2. Take Ownership
Researchers have found employees view work as more than a paycheck. Most people want to be involved in contributing to something more meaningful while they earn a living. If work has become routine and boring, take responsibility that it could be a lack of insight on your part. Remember what you found exciting about your current job or previous work experiences. Are there ways you have become complacent? Are you taking responsibility for creating a work environment where others can express their concerns and ideas for the future? Has your world become too stressful to even think about motivating others? Take stock, ask others for feedback, and seek support.
3. Create a Winning Team
No one person has all of the answers. Don’t ignore problems or expect everything to “take care of itself.” It is tempting to arrive at conclusions based on our own perceptions. If you want to motivate others, accept differences, nurture new ideas, and ask for help when needed.
4. Motivation is a Process, not a Task
Due to work demands and other responsibilities, we often don’t think to ask ourselves deeper questions related to what we find meaningful about the work that we do. Being introspective is a struggle and takes time. Insight comes in stages. Don’t expect changes overnight.
Contributed
by Janet McCutchen, MS,
LPC, CEAP, LEAP
Senior Cracker Barrel EAP
Counselor
December, 2005