Motivating Self & Others: Tips from Industry Leaders
By: Amaan Ahmad, Emily Hilbers, Esperanza Shen, & Sandra Nowicka
Motivation is essential when it comes to the work climate, however, it is elusive in nature and when we lose it, we may feel the pang of exhaustion or the difficulty of rising in the morning. So how do we keep motivating ourselves and those around us? Our team interviewed 12 industry leaders to gain insight on how they have found success in motivating themselves, managing their energy & wellbeing, and how they create successful environments for teams to thrive.
Motivating Self
1. Inertia
Isaac Newton’s first law of motion states that an object at rest will remain at rest, and an object in motion will remain in motion unless acted upon by an external force (CNX, 2015). Motivation acts in the same way inertia does. It is difficult to get moving, but once you do, it is hard to stop. Abstract artist Aurora, mentioned that motivation is spontaneous and once it is felt, it is paramount to capitalize on its inertia to keep your energy bank full.
2. Accomplishment as a Catalyst
Denoucha Reynon, a renowned water specialist, said, “If you don’t do it yourself, no one will do it for you” (Reynon & Hilbers, 2021). We are the creators of our universe and it is action that turns your dreams into reality. Another industry leader added to this concept by recognizing that motivation may also stem from a sense of responsibility. As children, we do the bare minimum and are motivated typically by external forces. If a child accepts responsibility to do more than what is required, inner motivation can be activated and propelled by subsequent accomplishments.
3. What Does ‘Success’ Look Like to You?
Reynon also touched on the importance of how you define personal success? Is it producing the highest quality work? Being healthy and debt free? Thriving in a male dominated industry? Success looks different to everyone, however, clarifying your vision of success can tap into your intrinsic motivation, propelling you forward.
Managing Your Energy & Wellbeing
1. What Gives You Energy?
Many industry leaders highlighted an important notion that author Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi disseminated in her 2008 book Flow, it is paramount that we pay attention to what activities or actions energize us. For example, one industry leader found that spending quality time with their team after hours provided a sweet buzz of rejuvenation while simultaneously nourishing the bond of connectedness throughout the team. Another leader found their energy source within. Removed from the bustle of daily activity, slowly calming the mind and surrendering to the silence, one may feel the surge of infinite energy replace mental exhaustion.
2. Are You Spread Too Thin?
There is a delicate balance that we all grapple with between work, family, soul, health, and friends and they all are demanding our attention (some more than others). As one industry leader pointed out, it is okay so say “no”. If you are bombarded with too many requests feeling as if there is not enough time in the day, get clear on your priorities and communicate to others why you do not wish to fulfill their request.
For many of us, work fills the majority of our day. One leader found it helpful to draw a line between work and the other aspects of their life leaving work at the office at the end of the day. However you find your balance, remember that you will be more productive and enlivened when you take time to reconnect with yourself.
3. Recharging your Batteries Requires Discipline
Life is like a marathon. It requires dedication and discipline to make it to the finish line, and it’s okay to walk sometimes. Comedian and podcaster Sam Tripoli tapped into a crucial aspect of managing your energy and wellbeing when he said that scheduling time to refresh through meditation, yoga, fasting, exercise, or any activity that keeps your physical body healthy, requires the same kind of discipline that you would apply to your work life. Our mind, body, and soul are all connected. When one is working at half capacity, the others will be far less effective.
Remember this is a marathon; a beautiful journey through time. It’s okay to stop and rest. After all, it’s not the number of hours you work, but the quality of what you produce.
Creating a Thriving Team Environment
1. Creating a Psychologically Safe Environment
The term ‘psychological safety’, coined by Amy Edmondson, is “a shared belief held by members of a team that the team is safe for interpersonal risk taking” (Edmondson, 1999). Fear culture in the workplace is very much real and unfortunately, happens often. The fear of making mistakes, being blamed, judged and disrespected are some of the main characteristics of a toxic and fearful work environment, the exact opposite of a psychologically safe environment. Every leader we interviewed highlighted the importance of creating a comfortable environment where team members have the opportunity to voice their opinions or concerns and that their voice carries weight.
2. Building Team Relationships
Humans are inherently social beings as it is in our nature to seek appraisal, emotional support, and share resources through our connections to others. Industry leaders across the board recognize that the success of an organization hinges on the people who co-create it. Taking an authentic interest in your team members by sharing common ground or a common purpose, offering support, accepting their strengths and areas of opportunity are all examples of how leaders foster meaningful relationships with their team members. People are more likely to perform better in their teams when they like the people they work with and when others depend on them.
3. The Law of Abundance
Comedian Sam Tripoli tapped into the universal law of abundance when he said, “give a man a dollar and he will run through a brick wall for you” (Tripoli & Hilbers, 2021). The law of abundance is the idea that the universe has unlimited resources and the more you give to others and appreciate what you have, the more you will receive. Giving more than what is required of you without expecting anything in return displays an enormous amount of character. Leaders who show love and appreciation for their team, taking the time to set others up for success, are introduced to an insurmountable amount of positive opportunities, not to mention the rewarding feeling of seeing the impact of giving back.
Conclusion
Motivation can be spontaneous and elusive. Accepting responsibility, clarifying goals, and defining what success looks like to you are all ways to catalyze and sustain the inertia of motivation.
Motivation cannot accelerate without energy and energy cannot be maintained without wellbeing. Recognizing what gives you energy, maintaining a healthy work-life balance, and disciplining yourself enough to take time to refresh and recharge are critical to success on an individual level and being a successful leader.
As a leader it is your role to create an environment that fosters trust, commitment, credibility, and enjoyment. Leading by example, cultivating and encouraging meaningful team relationships, and giving more than is expected can profoundly impact the success of your team, and the success of your organization as a whole.
References
Creative Commons. (2015, July 27). Newton’s First Law of Motion: Inertia. OpenStax CNX. https://cnx.org/contents/031da8d3-b525-429c-80cf-6c8ed997733a@9.1:24/Newtons-First-Law-of-Motion-In/contents/031da8d3-b525-429c-80cf-6c8ed997733a@9.1:24/Newtons-First-Law-of-Motion-In.
Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2009). Flow: the psychology of optimal experience. Harper and Row.
Edmondson, A. (1999). Psychological Safety and Learning Behavior in Work Teams. Administrative Science Quarterly, 44(2), 350–383. https://doi.org/10.2307/2666999
Reynon, D., & Hilbers, E. A. (2021, June 4). Motivating Self & Others. Personal interview.
Tripoli, S., & Hilbers, E. A. (2021, June 4). Motivating Self & Others. Personal interview.