You can’t motivate anyone to do anything they don’t want to unless they think they will get something they want in return. Motivation is inside out – never outside in. People do things for their own reason – not yours. Even those who volunteer their time and energy to causes are doing it because they are getting something out of it, or they wouldn’t keep volunteering. People only listen to the music they want to hear. Either WIIFM on the FM dial or MMFIAM on the AM dial. You need to be dialled in to be an exceptional manager or leader.

Worth Remembering – “Become the type of leader that people would follow voluntarily, even if you had no title or position.’ – Brian Tracy

Are you dialled in?

WIIFM – (Wants in it for me). Everyone can be motivated, but everyone is motivated to accomplish a goal or complete a task through different things. What motivates me – may not motivate you, and vice versa. The key to motivating someone is to find out what they want and then help them get theirs – then, more than likely, you’ll get yours. If you do this – you’ll get that. If you don’t do this, you won’t get that. The carrot approach is more effective than the stick.

MMFIAM – (Make me feel important and more). If you take the time to solicit others’ input when putting together your action plan to accomplish a goal or complete a task, they will get behind it because they feel they have been recognized as a contributing member of the team. They feel included – not excluded. They feel respected and appreciated. There are several ways to accomplish the same task or to reach your goal. It doesn’t have to be your way – make it the team’s way.

Worth Remembering – “A leader is like a shepherd. They stand behind their flock, letting the most nimble go out ahead, whereupon others follow, not realizing that all along they are being directed from behind.” – Nelson Mandela.

Henry Landsberger, a Sociology Professor at the University of North Carolina, coined the term ‘The Hawthorne Effect” – while analyzing the Hawthorne Studies conducted between 1924 and 1932 at the Hawthorne Works, a Western Electric Factory outside of Chicago. In this study, the lighting was intensified to examine its effect on worker productivity. Every time they adjusted the lights, productivity went up. Landsberger concluded that the increase in productivity had more to do with the interest management had shown in their workers. (MMFIAM). You need to be dialled in to be an exceptional manager or leader.

Copyright (c) 2023. Brian Smith – Power Link Dynamics. Not to be reproduced without permission. To learn more about Brian and what he can do for you or your organization, visit https://briansmithpld.com – All four of Brian’s published books are available on Amazon in print and e-reader editions. https://amazon.com/author/brsmith