Are You the Motivator

We're all aware of how important teamwork is and how an inspired team, working together toward a clearly defined goal, can accomplish tremendous results. But how do you get all co-workers to pull together and realize they are a vital link in a much bigger picture?

Remember that individuals make a team. Individual contributions add up to the greater whole. Ask for the team's ideas and suggestions and base specific goals on these. Be sure each team member understands his/her role in the overall plan.

Communicate clearly. Present information in an organized, easy-to-follow way. Make it clear; communication within the group is a two-way process. Acknowledge everyone's thoughts, ideas and fears equally. And above all, be honest.

Be a good example. Maintain firm, fair and clearly understood standards. Tackle unpleasant tasks as soon as possible. If criticism is necessary, make it constructive. Keep emotions in check.

Delegate. No one can do everything. Understand which jobs don't need your personal touch and trust them to someone else. Match jobs to skills and abilities, providing necessary training and encouragement. Provide goals and guidelines.

Accept change. Discuss changes - also suggested changes - with your team thoroughly. Reassure team players that the changes are positive, clearly pointing out the benefits. Encourage all members to express their feelings about what's happening and tend to wounded egos appropriately.

Praise with specifics. Focus on performance & behavior and not on the person. Do it regularly and in a timely fasion.

Vera Haitayan, Principal Consultant of The Leadership Laboratory., a California-based employee development and process improvement consulting firm and is the senior editor of The Stepping Stone Newsletter featuring leadership and process improvement best practices. http://www.1leadershiplab.com

mailto: vera@1leadershiplab.com

In The News:


Manuel: Mets need no motivation
MLB.com - Jul 4, 2008
"For me, there are certain games that I have to say something motivational," Manuel said. "It cannot be against the Phillies. ... What else can I say? ...

Clear Motivation
Winston-Salem Journal, NC - 22 hours ago
Tamara Doucette, a graduate student, takes a flow measurement in Paine Run in Shenandoah National Park. By Carlos Santos SYRIA, Va. - SYRIA, Va. ...

Los Angeles Times

Olympic champion Kitajima says Hansen may have lacked motivation
International Herald Tribune, France - Jul 4, 2008
... Kitajima said US swimmer Brendan Hansen's failure to make the Olympic team in the 200-meter breaststroke may have resulted from a lack of motivation. ...
Hansen may have lacked motivation in 200m flop: Kitajima ABC Online
Kitajima Claims Hansen Not Motivated Swimnetwork.com
Lohn: Hansen never has trouble responding The Delaware County Times
all 446 news articles

ABC News

Money not always players' sole motivation
FOXSports.com - Jul 4, 2008
by Mike Kahn Ever since the popularity of the NBA exploded during the 1980s, along with the exceptional growth of the soft salary cap, unrestrained free ...
Clippers might need bigger offer to keep Brand SportingNews.com
Which teams are poised for a big turnaround? FOXSports.com
all 1,201 news articles

Gigwise

ABBA Have No ' Motivation' To Reform
Gigwise, UK - 15 hours ago
Speaking ahead of the release of the film version of ‘Mama Mia’, Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson revealed they had no ‘motivation’ to reform. ...
Mamma Mia! Here it goes again The Times
Abba 'won't cash in on Mamma Mia' Scotsman
Abba will never reform says Bjorn The Press Association
NME.com - BBC Newsall 285 news articles

For real estate adviser, motivation comes between buying and ...
NewsOK.com (subscription), OK - 21 hours ago
AP Video •Requirements: Work with property owners, buyers, investors, other real estate brokers, perhaps architects, engineers and contractors. ...

Finding the motivation to exercise
The Southern, IL - Jul 5, 2008
Yet finding the motivation to actually drag ourselves to the gym or say no that extra slice of apple pie takes effort. "When we look at how many calories ...

Emma's bravery is fantastic motivation
Malvern Gazette, UK - Jul 4, 2008
... Worcester Royal Hospital just five weeks before the race, it gave the other three even greater motivation to show their support by completing the event. ...

New-Age Sales-Team Motivation: Quality of Work Life
NewsFactor Network, CA - Jul 3, 2008
By Jonathan Farrington In terms of personal motivation, employees ask these questions: Do I achieve? Am I contributing? Am I given increased responsibility? ...

BBC News

North Korea's motivation? Survival, experts say
CNN - Jun 27, 2008
By Jason Hanna (CNN) -- North Korea's apparent cooperation with nations seeking to end its nuclear weapons ambitions -- six years after a deal collapsed and ...
N. Korea benefits from US concession The Daily Yomiuri
all 3,163 news articles
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