How To Motivate People Without The Jedi Mind Sh!t

“The key to getting your employees to give high performance is to understand what motivates them.”

– Chris Roebuck, author Lead to Succeed.

Is this one man’s opinion or is it the truth?

Consider these 3 observable facts on motivation and decide for yourself –

1. There’s a strong and clear link between motivation and performance (see any Employee Engagement survey for evidence).
2. Intrinsic motivation is stronger than external motivation (compare motivation for self-chosen goal vs. goal that was given to you).
3. Direct manager plays a large role in employee’s motivation (80% of the emotional factor in the decision, according to Lead to Succeed).

As every people manager knows, what motivates one person can differ greatly from what motivates another.  If one of your reports dreams of climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, another may not be interested in mountains at all.

Roebuck further states that the secret to understanding someone’s needs is “asking questions to uncover the truth”.

Is it that simple?

Yes.

5 Ways To Uncover The Truth

Let’s start with something that the very smart Albert Einstein once said:

“Setting an example is not the main means of influencing others, it is the only means.”

It’s no different for motivation.  If you’re not motivated to create an open feedback culture in your team, for example, don’t expect a direct to do it in theirs’.

Taking Mr. Roebuck’s science into consideration, let’s create 5 easy (& smart!) ways to motivate others:

1. Listen first, talk second. As we know from Dr. Covey’s Habit #5, if you wish to be understood, you have to “seek first to understand” (didn’t Yoda say this, too?).

Actionable tip – Before you give a direct report feedback on their performance, give them a chance to give you feedback on yours’.

2. Pay attention to what they say (words & body!). Body language often speaks louder than words.

Actionable tip – If someone with closed body posture tells you they feel good about a decision, don’t believe them.  Dig deeper.

3. Ask a question at the right time.  To get to the real, underlying issue, the timing has to be right.

Actionable tip – Building on #2, when someone shows a lack of motivation about a decision, press in to their thoughts and feelings to “uncover” what they would need to be motivated about it.

4. Get to know their goals & aspirations (as people, not just employees).

Actionable tip –To “uncover” an, d harness hidden motivators, ask about things beyond work. For example, if one of your direct reports is socially active outside of work, co-create a social initiative for them to lead in your team/group/organization.

5. Find out what inspires them and tailor your words and actions, accordingly.

Actionable tip – Building on #4, if someone is motivated by socially active leaders, talk about Jane Goodall before Jeff Bezos.

The best part of each of these?

No training or external expertise required. No costs involved.

All that is required is a commitment to pay attention to the people around you.  

Simply ask smart questions and listen to what they say.

Take Action Today

The next time you’d like to motivate someone to bring their best performance to a task, remember these 3 things –

1. If people feel you value their goals, they’ll be motivated to help you with yours.
2. Asking questions is the key to understanding someone’s needs and goals.
3. The more you tailor your words and actions to their needs and goals, the more influence you have.

For tips and strategies to grow your communication impact to influence (and motivate!) your people, pick up my ebook, Impact to Influence.

Thanks for reading!

Tim

P.S. For my advice on how to improve your ability to inspire and motivate people, drop me a note and let’s talk.