HOW TO MOTIVATE OTHERS

Motivation generates success. Therefore we pay attention to motivation. If you are in a leadership role as a manager, chances are you are preoccupied with how to motivate others. We talk about motivation. We read about motivation. Most of us remember salient points about motivational theories. But are we motivated to do anything about it ? What can we do ? Can we motivate others ? THE ANSWER SEEMS TO BE THAT WE CANNOT MOTIVATE OTHERS, BUT WE CAN CREATE CONDITIONS FOR PEOPLE TO MOTIVATE THEMSELVES.

This practical guide explains six easy-to-use principles for motivating others and contains three tables with specific advice for LEADERS, TRAINERS, and EVERYONE ELSE.

MOTIVATION COMES FROM WITHIN

The most important thing to keep in mind about motivation is that we cannot motivate others. Motivation comes from within-people motivate themselves. The only thing a supervisor, a manager, or anybody else can do is to create the conditions for people to motivate themselves.

SIX PRINCIPLES FOR MOTIVATING OTHERS

1. Positive thoughts motivate.

2. Enjoyment motivates.

3. Feeling important motivates.

4. Success motivates.

5. Personal benefits motivate.

6. Clarity motivates.

WHAT CAN YOU DO AS A LEADER TO CREATE SITUATIONS THAT MOTIVATE?

There is nothing earth-shattering in our six principles of motivation. But how do you put them to work? Annexure – I suggests common-sense ways for leaders to use the six principles. What you do in your particular situation will depend on your creativity.

 

WHAT CAN YOU DO AS A TRAINER TO CREATE SITUATIONS THAT MOTIVATE?

Motivation plays a major role in the classroom. Motivated participants roll up their sleeves and enthusiastically undertake group work and individual exercises. Ultimately, they learn more. Annexure –II suggests ways to use the six principles of motivation in the classroom. You can adapt these ideas and add others for your particular situation.

 

WHAT CAN EVERYONE DO TO CREATE SITUATIONS THAT MOTIVATE?

If you are not in a formal leadership position there is still plenty you can do to heighten motivation among colleagues and fellow participants in a training session. In our increasingly participative workplace, opinions are sought. If you identify what motivates you personally and share your thoughts with an enlightened lead leader, committee chairperson, or supervisor, chances are they will respond positively. Annexure – III suggests ways.

 

PERSONALIZED MOTIVATION

Each of us have motivational hot spots. We need to keep this in mind while we try to create situations that motivate others. What motivates you or me may be different from what motivates someone else. Be careful. Don't force your motivation preferences on someone else. The safest way is to include all six motivational elements in your undertakings. That way you will connect with everyone's motivational hot spots.

Annexure - I

PRINCIPLES OF MOTIVATIONWHAT LEADERS CAN DO TO MOTIVATE OTHERS

1. Positive thoughts motivate. When the group you lead attains its goals, advertise its success. Thank individuals for the success of the group.

2. Enjoyment motivates.

Find out what people like to do and when possible have them do the tasks they enjoy. Demonstrate your pleasure when people and the team succeed. Build in enjoyable social activities for everyone, such as having coffee or lunch together.

3. Feeling important motivates.Ask people for their opinions. Listen intently to what they say. consider their thoughts carefully. Give credit when you use somebody's idea.

4. Success motivates.

Set clear, reasonable goals within the group. Make certain that stakeholders help set goals, understand what the goals mean, and agree to them. Thanks individuals for successfully contributing to the group.

5. Personal benefits motivate. Identify and state how group members can personally gain from an activity. Monitor and report on success.

6. Clarity motivates.Plan your messages, oral and written. Take time to ensure you communicate clearly. Check with others to ensure they understand your messages

Annexure - II

PRINCIPLES OF MOTIVATION

WHAT YOU CAN DO AS A TRAINER TO MOTIVATE OTHERS

1. Positive thoughts motivate.

Talk positively about the merits of the training you are conducting. Be positive about the work performed by participant and their employers. when participants or groups succeed in answering questions or in completing group work, congratulate them on their success.

2. Enjoyment motivates. Demonstrate your pleasure when participants succeed. Build in enjoyable social activities such as having coffee or lunch together.

3. Feeling important motivates.

Greet students individually before workshops begin. Learn participants' names. Ask participants to give opinions and to share their experiences. Listen intently to what they say. Demonstrate that you are carefully considering participants' thoughts.

4. Success motivates. Set clear, reasonable goals for group and individual activities. When participants reach their goals, compliment them.

5. Personal benefits motivate.

Ask participants questions such as " What would you like to learn about this topic?" or " How would you benefit personally from learning this topic?" Help participants identify how they can personally gain from an activity or course.

6. Clarity motivates. Plan your training sessions thoroughly. Use visuals such as flip charts, presentation software, and overheads to convey key points. Do not overuse visuals. give clear, written instructions for individual and group activities. Take time to ensure that you communicate clearly. Ask " what" questions to check that participants understand the meanings of key words before you start a section of course. Ask ongoing questions and summary questions to gauge whether students have understood what you said and are able to recall key teaching points.

Annexure - III

PRINCIPLES OF MOTIVATION WHAT EVERYONE CAN DO TO MOTIVATE OTHERS

1. Positive thoughts motivate. Compliment people on their success.

2. Enjoyment motivates. Smile. Your enjoyment will be contagious. Demonstrate your pleasure when people and the team succeed. Participate enthusiastically in social activities such as having coffee or lunch together.

3. Feeling important motivates.

Ask people for their opinions. Listen intently to what they say. Consider their thoughts carefully. Give credit when you use someone else's idea.

4. Success motivates. Set clear, reasonable goals for yourself and with others. When you attain your goals, advertise your success. Compliment individuals on their contributions to the group.

5. Personal benefits motivate.

Identify how you can personally gain from an activity. Keep these benefits in mind. Evaluate your level of success. If you don't succeed, determine why- so you will know what to do to succeed next time.

6. Clarity motivates. Plan your messages, oral and written. Take time to ensure that you communicate clearly. Check with others to ensure that they understand what you say.