![A penguin is searching behind the couch cushions frantically looking for something it's lost, another penguin watching says, "where was the place place you remember having it?" the text reads, "searching for motivation"](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Ra58!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fda9bf14f-298e-4705-8642-1d56f436d983_1080x1080.jpeg "A penguin is searching behind the couch cushions frantically looking for something it's lost, another penguin watching says, "where was the place place you remember having it?" the text reads, "searching for motivation"")
Welcome to the seventh installment in the series exploring essential leadership soft skills, drawn from my book, "The Illustrated Guide to Leadership Soft Skills". Today, we delve into the multifaceted world of motivation.
Motivation is the engine that drives us, and the key that unlocks our potential. As leaders, helping to provide meaning and cultivate motivation is one of our most important roles.
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The Complexity of Motivation
![A penguin stands in front of a team of penguins with a whiteboard with "Reward?" written on it, each penguin is thinking of a different reward, family, ice cream. tropical island and money, the text reads "Everyones idea of a reward is different".](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!sx_x!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9a324e65-a044-4dac-832a-795087a66833_1080x1080.jpeg "A penguin stands in front of a team of penguins with a whiteboard with "Reward?" written on it, each penguin is thinking of a different reward, family, ice cream. tropical island and money, the text reads "Everyones idea of a reward is different".")
What motivates us is as unique as each of our biology, psychology, and environment. What works for one person can have the opposite effect on another. Some thrive on public recognition, while others recoil from the spotlight. This highlights the futility of a one-size-fits-all approach to motivation. Expecting a single reward or motivator to lead a team through a challenge is a recipe for frustration and disappointment.
Finding Your Motivation
![Penguin opens a door that has 'today' written on it with a key that is the shape of a heart, while saying it fits, the text reads "Finding the right Motivation helps"](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!hCG2!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff75d5e96-ff90-442b-9d21-3dd5b79ff6a6_1080x1080.jpeg "Penguin opens a door that has 'today' written on it with a key that is the shape of a heart, while saying it fits, the text reads "Finding the right Motivation helps"")
Finding your motivation, or helping others find theirs, is a valid measure of success. When you struggle to find the keys to your motivation, purpose and meaning become elusive. Creating routines makes it easier. Like leaving your motivation "on the yoga mat" or "in your walking shoes," it's about making it readily accessible.
![A penguin is in a one on one meeting with another penguin and is being asked, What gets you out of bed in the morning?" the other penguin has a thought bubble with a comical scene of an over sized alarm clock kicking it out of bed while saying "Get Up" repeatedly.](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!yl4Q!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5bdb633b-95d6-4c56-b8d6-593620d68afd_1080x1080.jpeg "A penguin is in a one on one meeting with another penguin and is being asked, What gets you out of bed in the morning?" the other penguin has a thought bubble with a comical scene of an over sized alarm clock kicking it out of bed while saying "Get Up" repeatedly.")
Sometimes, motivation doesn't come to you; you must go to it. Like on Monday mornings and the well-beaten path to the coffee machine.
Setting a goal is a tangible way to start. Sometimes, simply writing down the starting point is enough to jump-start that action motor. Sharing these goals with your people lead provides a way to measure success and identify the support required.
The Dark Side: Fear-Based Motivation
![AN illustration of a penguin standing in front of a line graph that is not tracking towards a goal, the penguin is yelling with a megaphone and two other penguins who are startled and one backs up and stands on the foot of another, the text reads"Motivating with fear switched the focus to you and way from the customer](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!o2TN!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0f44e750-499a-40fd-ac25-629c071968d4_1080x1080.jpeg "AN illustration of a penguin standing in front of a line graph that is not tracking towards a goal, the penguin is yelling with a megaphone and two other penguins who are startled and one backs up and stands on the foot of another, the text reads"Motivating with fear switched the focus to you and way from the customer")
Motivating with fear switches the focus from the customer to the leader. When the team becomes fearful, the customer's needs take a back seat, leading to harmful outcomes. Heavy-handed motivation, while offering short-term results, erodes respect.
Fear is a powerful motivator, but it doesn't earn respect or promote healthy interactions. If you're unsure about your motivational style, seek anonymous feedback. It's crucial to address any issues before they escalate.
Fear's natural evolution was to keep us safe, but when it becomes an attack dog, it triggers flight, fright, or freeze emotions, which aren't conducive to long-term success.
Leader-Led Motivation
![two scenes, in the top one a penguin walks towards another with a deflated heart shaped balloon dragging on the ground. In the bottom scene the penguin is having the heart inflated by another penguin with a pump that has 'belief written on it"](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Wfuf!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5459bb94-b774-4bdb-9028-6af0f804eb67_1080x1080.jpeg "two scenes, in the top one a penguin walks towards another with a deflated heart shaped balloon dragging on the ground. In the bottom scene the penguin is having the heart inflated by another penguin with a pump that has 'belief written on it"")
Making work meaningful for the 70% of people who aren't in their dream job is crucial. At a leadership level, taking time to learn and include the subtle nuances of individual motivators can create an environment of meaning and purpose.
Practical Strategies for Positive Motivation
Individual Understanding: Spend time with individuals to understand their motivators.
Team Choice: Give the team a choice for rewards and recognition.
Regular Reviews: Review motivators regularly.
Adaptability: Be open to adapting rewards for different people.
Achievable Goals: Set achievable goals and celebrate successes.
The Power of a Smile
Most workers aren't in their dream jobs, but they make the unselfish choice to provide for themselves and their loved ones. As leaders, we can create routines that celebrate this and validate their why.
In Conclusion
Motivation is an interactive process, requiring us to delve deeper into our personal motivators and understand what truly matters to others.
By taking the time to do this, we can move beyond mere discretionary effort and job descriptions, fostering genuine engagement with the 'why' behind the 'what' and 'how.'
This deeper connection creates a shared sense of purpose, driving us beyond basic tasks and towards a collective vision.
As I continue this 20-week series, exploring all aspects of the "Leadership Wheel", I hope you will join me on this journey. I encourage you to consider how you can implement these ideas into your leadership style, and take the time to create a sense of unity in your teams.
You can find my book, “The Illustrated Guide to Leadership Soft Skills” on Amazon, where you will find these ideas and more, and over 500 illustrations to help you navigate the often difficult world of leadership.
Author and Illustrator Lee Sampson uses a people-centric approach and creative vision to make leadership development accessible and enjoyable. Inspired to illustrate over 1,000 Penguin cartoons on LinkedIn, Lee believes that we all have the potential to change our world for the better, by starting from the inside out.
Disclaimer: This article has been created using insights from my book, “The Illustrated Guide to Leadership Soft Skills”. I have used my expertise combined with the capabilities of AI, which has helped me refine this version to improve readability.
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