How Do Leaders Motivate People?

Well, in actual fact they can't!

A key principle about human behaviour is that one individual cannot motivate another, suggesting that leaders cannot actually motivate their people. Leaders are however responsible for creating an environment that will bring out the best in their people.

Discovering Needs

How they do this is to build relationships with their team that are based on trust. This enables them to discover the needs that each individual wants satisfied. The leader can then take steps to ensure that, wherever possible, these needs are met.

Using Emotional Intelligence

To do this effectively leaders will need to display superior levels of emotional intelligence, enabling them to manage their emotions so they behave appropriately – regardless of their own emotional state.

Understanding Behaviour

They will also need to be conscious of adapting their own behaviour so that they behave in ways that are appropriate for the person and the circumstances that they are dealing with.

Developing Trust

When they do this they are more likely to develop much higher levels of trust with their team members, which in turn will lead to people being more open to sharing the most critical needs that they would like their leader to address. 

People's perception and thus experience of their environment plays a critical role in their motivation to perform their best. By developing these skills leaders can make a huge impact on the level of employee engagement in their workplace.

For more information on creating an environment that brings out the best in your people, please contact us or phone 1800 222 902 to speak with one of our consultants.