Motivating people works when a leader uses a person-to-person approach and shows those they lead that they truly care. Change does not happen because of an elaborate scheme or complex program. It happens because one individual makes an impact on the life of another. That's what leadership is all about!



To move any organization ahead, regardless of its size or purpose, means that you cannot treat people as faceless “units” or possessions. Leaders in today's world not only appreciate the bottom line, but they also recognize the hidden value of human resources. But, even good leaders need reminders to keep their skills honed. Here are some leadership reminders for you:

• Document and measure your care and attention of the people you lead. It is not enough just to “say” you care, KNOW that you care by documenting what you do and then documenting its success and effect on others. You may want to periodically review your notes and then build on those things you did that were successful.

• Destroy your whips and chains. Acknowledge that there is a new era in leadership. Remember, dictators usually end up facing an untimely and humiliating end to their careers. If you value the people you lead, you will not subject them to this type of leadership style.

• Develop a mission-driven leadership style. Mission-driven leaders build a team and motivate their team(s) to fulfill the organization's vision and purpose.

• Do not invent, or reinvent, motivation – tap into people's desires and needs. Find out what is important to the people you lead and how they see their needs and desires meshing with the organization's vision and purpose. Then, tap in to it!

• Decrease the symbols of power. As simple as this sounds, it is often overlooked. You cannot build a team, saying things such as “we're all in this together” and then give yourself some tangible benefit or symbol of power and not reward the people who are working very hard with you. For example: if you limit the purchase of new computer hardware and software because for budgetary reasons, and yet go and purchase new fancy electronics and computer systems for you or those in upper management, while the people in the trenches are working on inadequate or ailing equipment you will not be decreasing symbols of power.

• Offer rewards and premiums, not rebukes and punishment. There is a lot to be said for this reminder. No one likes to be chastised or reminded of their short-comings or business blunders. This approach NEVER motivates people and rarely works in the organization's best interests. Instead, develop ways to encourage the positive, find a learning experience in the blunders, and always, compliment and praise a job well done or innovative thinking!

• Never twist opinions to fit your agenda. Nothing will annoy the people in your team or department more than someone who twists their words for their own purposes. Just simply do not do it! If you are using another's words or thoughts, give them the credit and public recognition for having contributed something to the organization.

• Increase your praise-to-discipline ratio. Keep a mental note of how often you praise your team or those you lead. Make sure that you deliver more praise and less discipline whenever possible. You will generate far more forward progress and energy within your team for positive feedback and praise.

• Love your people, not the programs. Programs are absolutely useless without the people to run them and see them through successfully. If you genuinely care and love the people, you will be a great, and successful, leader!

Keep in mind that those whom you lead are not lab rats or scientific experiments. They are human beings with the capability and potential to take your organization into hyper mode. They deserve to be treated as such and you, as their leader, have a responsibility to them and yourself to ensure that this happens in the organization.